Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program

Program purpose: To act as a catalyst between business and education in developing cooperative training projects that provide training for new jobs or retrain existing employees.

How it works: Grants are awarded to educational institutions with businesses as partners.

Eligible applicants: : Public and/or private educational institutions within the state. Preference will be given to non-profit institutions, which serve economically disadvantaged people, minorities, or those who are victims of economic dislocation and to businesses located in rural areas.

Minimum requirements: All projects must have at least one educational institution and one business working together.

Eligible projects: Funds may be used for educational infrastructure improvements necessary to support businesses located or intending to locate in Minnesota.

Ineligible Activities: Requests for wage subsidies and tuition reimbursements.

Maximum available: $400,000 of Partnership funds per grant can be awarded for a project.

Other funds required: A cash or in-kind contribution from the contributing business must match Partnership funds on at least a one-to-one ratio. Funding from other sources is also allowable.

Terms: Projects average twelve months to three years in duration. The Grantee Agreement must be executed within 90 days from the date of the award or the agreement becomes null and void.

Applications accepted: Application accepted: On a year-round basis through a grant application process. Grants, pending the availability of funding, are approved on a quarterly basis.

Approving authority: Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board.

Disbursement of funds: Costs are paid on a reimbursement basis.

Contact: Minnesota Job Skills Partnership of the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development at (651)296-0388 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3858.