ST. PAUL (June 17, 2014) — The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded $1,450,000 to 18 adult career pathways projects in the state under the Minnesota FastTRAC initiative to help train and place 707 workers statewide.

Minnesota FastTRAC’s approach integrates basic skills and career training in high-demand fields, meeting business needs and ensuring that students find jobs with a pathway to future employment. The collaborative effort seeks to make Minnesota more competitive by helping low-skill and low-income adults succeed in the workplace.

“Minnesota FastTRAC connects Minnesotans with barriers to employment to careers with opportunities for future growth,” said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben. “This innovative program teaches Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds the skills they need to begin building their careers in growing fields like health care and manufacturing.”

Minnesota FastTRAC is a partnership including the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota Department of Education – Adult Basic Education, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Minnesota FastTRAC partners form a professional learning community, building the capacity of educators and workforce development providers across the state to align services and deliver effective programming for high barrier populations.

Minnesota FastTRAC Adult Career Pathway Grant Awards

• Anoka County Jobs and Training/Anoka County Practical Nursing Pathway, $61,750

Twenty individuals will participate in training to complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS V) and Anatomy and Physiology coursework, and then continue in the Practical Nursing Program. Education partners are Metro North Adult Basic Education and Anoka Technical College. Employer partners are Accurate Home Care, Benedictine Health Center, Crest View Senior Communities, and Golden Living Centers.

• Anoka County Jobs and Training/Anoka County Health Care Pathways, $76,000

This program targets low-income adults, youth, public assistance recipients, and diverse populations. Forty participants will complete certified nursing assistant certification and holistic health and dementia care specialized training and earning seven college credits. Education partners are Metro North Adult Basic Education, Anoka Technical College and Anoka Ramsey Community College. Employer partners are Benedictine Health Center, Crest View Senior Communities, Golden Living Centers, Lutheran Social Services, and Volunteers of America.

• Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services/Central Minnesota FastTRAC Adult Career Pathway Collaborative – Kandiyohi/McLeod Counties, $67,272

Nineteen low-income, unemployed or underemployed individuals will complete certified nursing assistance and home health aide certification and six college credits, including Anatomy and Physiology. Education partners are Glacial Lakes Adult Basic Education, and Ridgewater College. Employer partners are Harmony River Presbyterian Homes and Services and Vista Prairie – Copperleaf.

• Emerge/Emerge Machining, $76,000

Forty North Minneapolis residents will participate in shop math and blueprint reading and continue through two credential levels: National Institute of Metalworking Skills: Measurement, Materials, and Safety and National Institute of Metalworking Skills: Manual Milling/Turning I; CNC Milling: Programming Set-up & Operation, earning 18 college credits. Workforce development partner is City of Minneapolis Employment and Training. Education partners include Minneapolis Adult Basic Education and Hennepin Technical College. Employer partners are Marshall Manufacturing, Graco, Remmele, E.J. Ajax and Sons, Perbix, Medtronic, LSA Laser, Meier Tool and Die and others from the Metropolitan Manufacturing Alliance.

• Goodwill EasterSeals/Transportation Career Pathways, $83,043

Twenty-four under-skilled adults in Dakota and Scott counties will build foundation skills and complete Basic Electrical and Brakes coursework and an internship. Five college credits will build into the Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair 18-credit certificate. Workforce development partners are Dakota-Scott Workforce Investment Board and the Labor Standards and Apprenticeship Division of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Education partners are Rosemount/Eagan/Apple Valley Adult Basic Education, SouthWest Metro Adult Basic Education, and Dakota County Technical College. Employer partners are Mauer Chevrolet, Cox Motors and Osceola Auto Sales and Service, Eppen’s Auto Service, Luther Automotive Group, Apple Valley Car Clinic, Inver Grove Toyota, and Merit Chevrolet.

• HIRED/West Metro Pathway to Health Care Careers, $76,000

Ninety individuals will participate in this established medical career pathway that includes programming for nursing assistant, trained medical aide, or health unit coordinator. Education partners are Adult Options in Education, Southwest Metro Educational Cooperative, The Adult Academic Program at Robbinsdale Area Schools, Metro South Adult Basic Education, Osseo Adult Basic Education, and Hennepin Technical College. Employer partners are Activstyle Medical, ACR Homes, Cynthia Home Health Care, Eide Bailey, Fairview Health Systems, Genesis Group Homes, Golden Living, Good Samaritan Society, Home Instead, In-Home Personal Care, Lutheran Social Services, St. Gertrude’s, and Tealwood Care Center.

• South Central Workforce Council/South Central Pathways to Manufacturing Careers, $76,000

Twenty-five individuals in south central Minnesota will participate in Right Skills Now Computer Integrated Machining Certificate and National Institute of Metalworking Skills Certification, Mechatronics Level I, and Facility Maintenance. Workforce development partners are DEED-Job Service, Minnesota Valley Action Council, and MRCI WorkSource. Education partners are Area Adult Learning Cooperative, Faribault County ABE, Mankato ABE, Southwest ABE, and South Central College. Employer partners are Oak Terrace, Michael Foods, Armour-Eckrich, Poet Biofining, and ISD 77.

• South Central Workforce Council/South Central Pathways to Health Care Careers, $38,000

Thirty south central Minnesota residents will gain certified nursing assistance and first aid/CPR certification along with nine college credits. Workforce development partners are DEED-Job Service, Minnesota Valley Action Council, MRCI WorkSource. Education partners are Area Adult Learning Cooperative, Faribault County ABE, Mankato ABE, Southwest ABE, South Central College. Employer partners include Oak Terrace, St. Luke’s, Minnesota Valley Health Care, Mankato Clinic, Ecumen-Pathstone, Mapleton Community Home, and Madelia Lutheran Home.

• Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training/Assist, Inspire, Dream, Educate, $49,426

Fifteen low-income adults will participate in a program that prepares them for success in a 16-credit Paraprofessional Certificate program. Education partners are Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Mesabi Range College, and Northeast Higher Education District. Employer partners are Area schools (ISD 2132, 712, 2142) which will also provide internship experiences.

• Northwest Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center/ Anishinaabe Wellness Workforce Initiative, A Tribal Outreach Approach to Healthcare Career Pathways, $114,000

Thirty American Indian citizens will participate in a culturally focused health care pathway and prepare for the nursing assistant examination, as well as achieving 13 college credits. Education partners are Oshkiimaajitahdah Adult Basic Education and Workforce Development, Optivation Customized Training of Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. Employer partners are Jourdain/Perpich Extended Care Center, Red Lake Comprehensive Health Services, and Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota.

• Project for Pride in Living/Human Services, $76,000

Thirty metro-area participants will enroll in a bridge course and earn the Customer Service Excellence Certificate (51 hours) as well as 6 credits in human services coursework and a technology course building into a Human Services Diploma. Education partners are Minneapolis Adult Basic Education and Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Employment partner is Hennepin County.

• RESOURCE/Culinary Arts FastTRAC Program, $114,000

Thirty individuals will build foundation skills and take seven classes in a 17-college credit Culinary Basic Certificate, with the option of three additional classes to earn the Short Order Cooking Certificate. Education partners are Neighborhood House and Saint Paul College. Employer partners include Indrotec, Chipotle, and Good Samaritan Society.

• Rural MN CEP/FastTRAC to Manufacturing /IT Careers, $76,000

This program targets 30 low-skill, low-income unemployed adults in north central Minnesota in a bridge to manufacturing careers including computer fundamentals. Twelve credits build into both information technology and advanced manufacturing diplomas. Workforce and economic development partners are Brainerd Lakes Chamber and MFG Alliance, Brainerd Lakes Economic Development Corp., Region 5 Economic Development, and TCC Community Development. Education partners are Brainerd Adult Basic Education and Central Lakes College. Employer partners are Clow Stamping, Lakeland Mold, Lindar Corporation, Asensus, and Landis-Gyr.

• Rural MN CEP/Industrial Maintenance, Electrical Technology Careers $114,000

Thirty low-skilled, low-income, unemployed adults in north central Minnesota will participate in industrial maintenance training with five integrated courses resulting in a 12-credit Industrial Electric Certificate. Workforce and economic development partners are Wadena Area Chamber of Commerce, Regional 5 Economic Development, and Wadena County Human Services. Education partners are Lakes and Prairie Adult Basic Education and Minnesota State Community and Technical College – Wadena Campus. Employer partners are Sterns Manufacturing, Russ David Wholesale, American Foods Group, and KLN Family Brands.

• Southwest MN Private Industry Council/Universal Health Care Worker Enhanced Pathway, $88,266

Fifty individuals from southeast Minnesota will participate in a health care pathway, including medical terminology, trained medication administration, and language community interpreter training. Education partners are Southwest Adult Basic Education Consortium and Minnesota West Community and Technical College. Employer partners are Avera-Marshall Regional Medical Center, Prairie View Healthcare Center, Crossroads Care Center, and Good Samaritan Society.

• Southwest MN Private Industry Council/Welding Career Pathway, $112,243

Thirty-four individuals will participate in a course for math enhancement and blueprint basics, then complete five college credits to earn an AWS D1.1 Welding Certification. Education partners are Southwest Adult Basic Education Consortium and Minnesota West Community and Technical College. Employer partners are AGCO Jackson, Case New Holland Benson Plant and SMI & Hydraulics, Inc.

• Workforce Development, Inc./2015 Rochester Medical Careers Enhanced FastTRAC Pathway, $76,000

One hundred fifty individuals in southeast Minnesota will move through a range of health care certification programs. United Way of Olmsted County is the workforce development partner, and education partners are Rochester Public Schools – Adult Basic Education and Rochester Community and Technical College. Mayo Clinic is the employer partner.

• Washington County WorkForce Center/Career Pathway to Office Administration, $76,000

Twenty metro area participants will receive training in office administration, internship placement assistance and a Microsoft IT Certificate. Education partners are South Washington County Adult Basic Education and Century College. Employer partners include Anoka/Washington Community Action Program, Valley Outreach, Merrick, Hallie Q Brown Community Center, Carol Matheys Center for Children and Families, Family Pathways and Tubman.

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.