DEED Seeking Business Grant Proposals For Worker Training
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), CareerForce (in partnership with South Central Workforce Council and Minnesota Valley Action Council) is soliciting grant proposals from area businesses for Incumbent Worker Training. Applicants must fall into the sector-based occupations of Manufacturing, Health Care, Transportation, Agriculture and Construction.
Incumbent Worker Training Grants are designed to provide direct financial assistance to businesses to train current employees. The program is intended to offset a portion of the costs to train and upgrade the skills of its incumbent (existing) workers. Incumbent Worker Program activities can be a critical workforce development strategy for employers looking to train and retain the workforce they have.
Employer Eligibility:
- Minnesota businesses located within the nine-county area of South-Central Workforce Council (Faribault, Martin, Watonwan, Blue Earth, Waseca, Nicollet, Brown, Sibley or Le Sueur Counties)
- Have been in business at least 18 months
- Are not pending or in the midst of laying off employees
- Fall into the sector-based occupations of Manufacturing, Health Care, Transportation, Agriculture and Construction.
- Priority of approval given to employers not previously awarded Incumbent Worker Training funding.
Preference will be given to applicants that demonstrate (a.) an increased wage for Incumbent Worker trainees and (b.) training that results in an industry recognized certification.
Employee Eligibility:
- Directly employed by the company at a facility located within Minnesota
- At least 18 years of age
- Work 32 or more hours weekly
- Earn an hourly wage above the state minimum wage.
- Employed with the company 6 or more consecutive months.
- Agree to share copies of Driver’s License, Social Security Card or a W-2 with full SSN listed, Veterans: DD214.
Qualifying training can be provided by educational institutions (not to include secondary schools for academic credit, diplomas or degrees), trade associations, private companies and economic development agencies. Examples include leadership training, increase skills proficiency, OSHA, Safety, Environmental, etc…
Training may be used to gain or maintain certifications, enhance process efficiency, training needed for new equipment, upgrade computer skills, etc. Training not covered would include required/regulatory training, training already reimbursed by another state/federal program.
Businesses may express their interest and receive an electronic grant proposal application by emailing your nearest CareerForce Office:
CareerForce.Fairmont@state.mn.us / CareerForce.Mankato@state.mn.us / CareerForce.NewUlm@state.mn.us
Deadline for completed applications is September 2nd, 2022.
Training Window: October 1, 2022, through May 15, 2023. (All training MUST be completed by May 15th, 2023.
Applications may be reviewed for completeness prior to submission. Incomplete applications may be disqualified from consideration.
