Hennepin Technical College To Receive $250K Job Training Grant
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz visited Hennepin Technical College’s Brooklyn Park campus on Tuesday to announce $20 million in job training grants.
The grants are part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s new “Drive for Five” initiative. It funds training programs for five high-demand employment fields.
The goal is to train Minnesotans for jobs in tech, the trades, caring professions, manufacturing and education.
“Look, our economy is strong,” Walz said. “Minnesota is a good place to live. But, if you talk to every single company or [human resources] manger, worker shortage is a big issue — trying to find a workforce that’s there.”
Hennepin Technical College plans to use a $250,000 grant to start a new manufacturing and paid internship program for adults with autism.
New Hennepin Tech Job Program
Hennepin Tech was awarded $250,000 through the grant program. President Joy Bodin said the college plans to use the grant to start a new manufacturing and paid internship program for adults with autism.
This “Uniquely Abled Academy” would be the second in the state and the first in the Twin Cities area. One already exists at South Central College.
“They will have hands-on education to become a CNC machine operator,” Bodin said. “And in 10 weeks — so they’ll get technical training, they’ll get two industry certifications, they’ll get college credit. And then, we’ll also have extra supports on campus, and then working with our business and industry partners, they’ll be on a paid internship … we’re really excited.”
The Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association — which is also located in Brooklyn Park — was awarded $800,000.
Steve Kalina, president and CEO of the organization, says manufacturing employers struggle to find skilled workers to replace those that are retiring.
“Most of our manufacturers in Minnesota — 80 percent of them — are 50 employees or less,” Kalina said. “So most of them don’t have those resources to develop their own training programs, to create apprenticeships, things like that.”
