Deadline: 13-Sep-21
The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is seeking proposals for the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) for new and incumbent worker training programs.
MJSP will accept applications for the Partnership and Pathways Programs, Short Form and Pre-Development.
Priorities
For both the Partnership and Pathways programs, preference will be given to institutions that serve economically disadvantaged people, minorities, or those who are victims of economic dislocation and to businesses located in rural areas.
In addition, further preference will be given to Pathways projects that:
- Provide employment with benefits paid to employees;
- Provide employment where there are defined career paths for trainees;
- Pilot the development of an educational pathway that can be used on a continuing basis, which helps people make the transition from public assistance directly to work; and
- Demonstrate the active participation of Department of Employment and Economic Development workforce centers and local human service agencies.
Funding Information
- The maximum grant award for the Partnership and Pathways programs is $400,000. A Short-form application is available for Partnership or Pathways grant requests of up to $50,000. The maximum grant award for Pre-Development grants is $50,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- MJSP may provide Partnership and Pathways grants to educational institutions/training providers within the state that are accredited through institutional or specialized accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
- Eligible Pathways applicants also include workforce development intermediaries partnering with an accredited provider of training. Workforce development intermediaries are defined as public, private, or nonprofit entities that provide employment services to low-income individuals and have a demonstrated track record bringing together employers and workers, private and public funding streams, and other stakeholders to implement pathways to career advancement for low-income individuals. Entities may include, but are not limited to, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, or the administrative entity of a local workforce service area.
- All eligible Partnership and Pathways projects must also include the active participation of one or more Minnesota businesses.
- The project must involve training that is an area of employment need. Training must consist primarily of new or customized curriculum that is specific to participating business needs and must be provided by accredited Minnesota training institutions.
- A participating business is limited to one active grant in each grant program at any given time, with the exception of businesses that have multiple locations or businesses engaged in projects that involve a consortium of businesses.
- Partnership grant funds must be matched by contributions from one or more participating businesses on at least a one-to-one ratio. Pathways grant funds must be matched by contributions from one or more participating businesses on at least a one-half-to-one ratio. The match may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions directly related to the training project. An in-kind contribution is a donation of goods, services or time.
- Pathways funds may only be used to train individuals who are making a transition from public assistance to work or individuals at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
- Pre-development grants must demonstrate that the project will address education and skills training for high-wage, high-growth, and high skill occupations, businesses, and industries. In addition, a pre-development grant application should demonstrate that the training institution will develop a significant amount of new capacity. Very few projects qualify for pre-development funds. As such, any potential pre-development grant applications should be discussed with MJSP staff prior to the submission of a proposal.
For more information, visit https://mn.gov/deed/about/contracts/open-rfp.jsp