May 10 - DEED Jobs Program Awarded Grant

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Dislocated Worker Program has been awarded a $5.5 million grant to provide job training and related services for about 1,800 unemployed Minnesotans who are currently receiving training or on waiting lists.

The National Emergency Grant (NEG) was awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

“This is important funding that will help unemployed workers to retrain and find new careers,” said DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy. “The Dislocated Worker Program is a key part of our strategy for putting Minnesotans back to work and keeping the state economy healthy.”

The grant will be administered by 11 entities that provide Dislocated Worker Program services in the state: Anoka County Job Training Center, Dakota-Scott Workforce Services, Hennepin County Training and Employment Assistance, Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions, Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Programs Inc., Southeastern Minnesota Workforce Development Inc., Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council Inc., Stearns-Benton Employment and Training Council, Washington County Workforce Center and the Winona County Workforce Council.

Dislocated Worker Program services include skills assessments, basic skills training, individual career counseling and occupational skills training.

National Emergency Grants provide temporary funding for state and local employment and training programs. Each state must apply for the grants and must meet specific guidelines to be eligible.

DEED also recently received a $2.6 million NEG from the Department of Labor to help train more than 600 workers who lost their jobs when Eagan-based Northwest Airlines merged with Delta Airlines of Atlanta.

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 www.PositivelyMinnesota.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PositivelyMN.

Upon request, the information in this news release is available in an alternative format such as Braille, large print, audiotape or computer disk.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Communications Office
Phone 651/259-7161 or 1-800-657-3858 ∙ TTY 1-800-657-3973
www.PositivelyMinnesota.com