Employers invited to apply for Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative grants

Minnesota employers are invited to apply for grants to help them create or expand registered apprenticeship programs in five industries:

• advanced manufacturing

• agriculture

• health care

• information technology

• transportation

Starting Sept. 14, 2016, employers can download the grant application for the Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative (MAI). The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 26, 2016. The initiative, announced in fall 2015, is funded through a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Over a five-year period, Minnesota will engage more than 100 employers in developing registered programs to recruit, train and retain 1,000 new apprentices in 30 high-growth occupations.

Employers receive $5,000 for each MAI-registered apprentice. This can help offset costs related to program development, instruction, and apprentice supplies and materials. Apprentices are given structured, on-the-job training and related instruction.

This initiative is being jointly administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI).

"Apprenticeships provide valuable experiential learning opportunities for workers and young people entering the workforce. They also give companies access to potential long-term employees with hands-on training in skills the companies need," said DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy. "DEED is excited to partner with DLI to offer grant funding to Minnesota employers interested in creating or expanding apprenticeship programs."

"DLI is committed to expanding partnerships with schools, unions, employers and community-based organizations to continue to make apprenticeship opportunities available to more Minnesota workers," said DLI Commissioner Ken Peterson.

To learn more about the grant initiative and the application process, employers can take part in two webinars. They are free and optional; no pre-registration is required.

• Wednesday, Sept. 21, 10 to 11 a.m.

• Thursday, Oct. 20, 10 to 11 a.m.

The first webinar will explain the application and answer general questions employers may have. The second webinar will explain how employers complete their application.

To date, 21 Minnesota businesses are working toward registered apprenticeship programs and two companies -- Owens Corning in Minneapolis and Viracon in Owatonna -- have launched programs.

For more information, to download the grant application (starting Sept. 14) or to listen to recordings of the webinars after they take place, visit http://www.dli.mn.gov/Aai.asp.

For questions, contact Carrie Fink, MAI project manager, carrie.fink@state.mn.us, 651-259-7252. Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to participate in the webinars or need information in an alternate format should also contact Carrie.

DEED is the state's principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at http://mn.gov/deed. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/mndeed.

DLI oversees the state's programs for apprenticeship, construction codes and licensing, occupational safety and health, wage and hour standards, and workers' compensation. Visit us online at http://www.dli.mn.gov or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/mndli.