St. Cloud State University Secures Workforce Grant to Address Employer Needs

(KNSI) — St. Cloud State University has gotten a $49,000 workforce grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to develop and deliver workforce training programs addressing employers’ specific needs.

The $49,998 Jobs Skills Partnership grant is for SCSU’s collaboration with Park Industries in St. Cloud. Park Industries is North America’s largest manufacturer of stoneworking equipment. The company is partnering with the school for a skills development program for 80 business leaders focused on collaboration and communications skills, executive transformation and Tri-Metrics Certification.

Ten other grants were doled out to five other schools, totaling over $1.4 million.

Since 2019, MJSP has awarded $29.3 million to train more than 30,500 workers and has leveraged $62.7 million in private funding.

“Workforce training programs help employers with their labor recruitment and retention efforts and provide employees with essential skills and career development opportunities,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “Partnering with educational institutions is an effective way to deliver these programs because they help employers customize training opportunities and leverage teaching staff expertise.”

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