In 2024, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) awarded a total of $5.4 million to Minnesota employers to fund dual-training enrollment in high-demand industries. The Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association (MPMA) was one of them.
Since 2015, the Minnesota Dual Training Pipeline grant program has provided on-the-job training and instruction that helps employees to develop necessary skills through on-the-job training. The program helps employees start working sooner, and it helps employers tackle the labor shortage by incentivizing people to join their workforce.
This year, MPMA will use the grant to support 25 employees through further training and education. In order to benefit from grant funding, individuals must already be employed. They’ll get paid hourly to go to school, all while receiving free tuition. The grant also allows for an additional $15,000 to help MPMA reduce barriers for students to attend classes, including transportation, food and daycare costs.
This is the first year MPMA has received full funding from the grant, which opens new doors for many manufacturing workers to advance their careers. Some participants are benefitting from the grant’s funding for the first time, but a few are previous MPMA students who want to continue their manufacturing education with another round of training.
“These career growth and training opportunities allow Minnesotans to get ahead in their careers while helping businesses recruit and retain talent. It’s a win-win,” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said in a recent press release. “As Minnesota sees an increase in high-demand, good-paying jobs, we’re investing in the economic future by ensuring the workforce is supported.”
If you’re an employer on the lookout for more opportunities to receive grant funding next year, or you’re looking for other ways to get training support, reach out to MPMA today: info@mpma.com