May 28 - Grant Funds Xcel Energy Workforce Training

ST. PAUL – The state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced a $330,000 Minnesota Job Skills Partnership program (MJSP) grant to support training for 2,140 company and contract employees of Xcel Energy. The three-year training collaboration includes MJSP, Xcel Energy and Inver Hills Community College.

 Xcel Energy and Inver Hills Community College will collaborate to provide online courses in hazard avoidance and environmental training for employees at the company’s Sherburne County plant in Becker, Red Wing steam plant in Red Wing, Wilmart plant in Mankato, Grand Meadow wind farm in Mower, and substations in Monticello and Maple Grove.

Xcel trainees also will be able to access an electronic database of virtual training records for instruction and tests and to print proof of competency and credentials.

“One benefit of this partnership is that Xcel will deliver consistent training that fully prepares employees at each Xcel work site. A more secure work environment and fewer employee injuries will result,” said Dan McElroy, DEED commissioner and MJSP board chair. “In addition, Inver Hills Community College will be the only educational institution in the state providing this type of training.”

For more information on the grant, contact Peter Hoch, director, Inver Hills Community College, 651-554-3763, or e-mail phoch@inverhills.edu.   

MJSP offers technical, financial and job training assistance to businesses, communities, educational institutions and workers. The board brings businesses with specific education needs together with educational institutions to design customized training programs.

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