MJSP Projects Funded - February 25, 2008

Grantee	Training Provider(s)	Amount	Program
Women Venture	Inver Hills Community College	$109,120	Low Income
Since 1978, Women Venture of St. Paul has served over 90,000 clients providing career, business development and financial services. This partnership involves Women Venture, MnSCU’s Center for Strategic Information Technology and Security, and Inver Hills Community College. MJSP funding will help prepare 36 low-income women and minorities for entry-level jobs in the high-growth, well-paying field of Information Technology. The program, provided by Inver Hills Community College, will use a cohort training structure combining an accredited college credential (a 17-credit MnSCU authorized certificate) with three long-recognized industry certifications (CompTIA’s A+, Service+ and Network+) and on-the-job experience through an internship. Women Venture will fund a Business Skills and Interpersonal Effectiveness course covering Personal Empowerment, Self-Awareness, Balancing Work and Family and Communication Skills, which will give trainees the skills to be successful at their jobs. Intensive job retention assistance provided by Women Venture will also ensure success of the trainees in the workplace. Local Contact: Kelly Coughlan, Women Venture, 651-251-0702.
Grantee	Training Provider(s)	Amount	Program
American Indian OIC	American Indian OIC	$200,000	Low Income
Since it’s founding in 1979, the American Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center (AIOIC) has provided education, training and employment services to impoverished individuals in the Minneapolis area. Through MJSP funding, 120 individuals will be selected to participate in AIOIC’s accredited Health Services Training Program which includes a series of four courses: Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, Trained Medication Aide, and First Aid & CPR. Job opportunities in the home health care industry continue to be some of the fastest growing in the state. Each course will run consecutively so students can finish the entire series, or return at a later time to increase their skill set by completing a supplementary certificate. On-site training at AIOIC will provide students with additional structure and support which will help increase the chance of successful outcomes. Local Contact: Dr. Lee Antell, American Indian OIC, 612-341-3358, x147.
Grantee	Training Provider(s)	Amount	Program
Minneapolis Employment and Training Program	Minneapolis Community and Technical College	$154,078	Low Income
This project addresses the growing need for healthcare industry workers in the City of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Employment and Training Program will partner with Minneapolis Community & Technical College and the Minneapolis Workforce Centers to provide a healthcare training and placement program component to 65 low-income individuals. Trainees will complete Healthcare Core Curriculum, integrating skills in math, reading and other developmental needs. The Core Curriculum is equivalent to a 4-credit course and a prerequisite to acceptance into one of three skills training courses: Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aid, Central Services Technician (Sterile Instrument Processing), and Community Health Worker. Three Minneapolis healthcare providers – Fairview Health Services, Providence Place, and Allina Hospitals & Clinics – have agreed to consider successful program candidates for employment. Local Contact: Deb Bahr-Helgen, Minneapolis Employment and Training Program, 612-673-6226.
Grantee	Training Provider(s)	Amount	Program
Emerge Community Development	MN Multi-Housing Assoc.	$68,454	Low Income
Through MJSP funding, Emerge and the MN Multi-Housing Association (MMHA) will offer Property Maintenance training to 45 low-skilled/low-income North Minneapolis residents. This training was developed in cooperation with two Minneapolis affordable housing organizations – Commonbond Communities and BCD Management. The curriculum includes basic strategies for effective property maintenance operations including: plumbing, electrical, lock repair, boiler operations, fire systems, appliance repairs, First Aid, preventative maintenance and crime prevention in residential facilities. Students will attend classroom training provided by MMHA two to three days a week and on-site training with maintenance supervisors from participating property management companies the remainder of the week. Students passing their Boilers License exam and final exam will receive a certificate of completion, qualifying them for employment in a growing and stable industry. Local Contact: Dawn Williams, Emerge, 612-529-9267.
Grantee	Training Provider(s)	Amount	Program
Workforce Development, Inc.	MN State College-SE Technical, Rochester Community & Technical College, and Riverland Community College	$190,575	Low Income
Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI) is a private, non-profit agency dedicated to developing and advancing the workforce in SE Minnesota. WDI will collaborate with three schools – MN State College-SE Technical, Rochester Community and Technical College, and Riverland Community College – to provide 165 low-income individuals the opportunity to gain the skills needed for entry- level manufacturing positions. Curriculum includes: Beginning Computer Classes, Safety, Lean Manufacturing, Math and Basic Blueprint Reading. Specific training and certification for Welding, Forklift Driving and OSHA training will be coordinated through the local community college. All completed training will result in recognized certificates and licensure. Students will also receive on-going job search and placement assistance. Local Contact: Becky Thofson, Workforce Development, Inc., 507-259-5209.
Grantee	Training Provider(s)	Amount	Program
Pine Technical College – Employment and Training Center	Pine Technical College	$180,000	Low Income
Pine Technical College-Employment & Training Center has 17 years of experience in providing services to low-income families in Region 7E (Pine, Mille Lacs, Isanti, Chisago, and Kanabec Counties). Through MJSP funding, Pine Technical College will provide short-term training programs to 159 low-income individuals that will prepare them for entry-level positions in the region’s fastest/largest growing industries – Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Welding, and Manufacturing. Training for Licensed Practical Nurse and Financial Worker are two-year degree programs that qualify for financial aid. Financial support will be provided to assist these students during their final semester as these six credits are often not covered by financial aid, but are required for program completion. Priority will be given to students without other financial support. Local Contact: Paula Hoffman, Pine Technical College, Employment and Training, 320-629-5190.
Grantee	Training Provider(s)	Amount	Program
SOAR Career Solutions	Lake Superior College	$139,975	Low Income
SOAR Career Solutions, in Duluth, is a non-profit organization that provides career services to residents of Northeast Minnesota. A partnership with Lake Superior College will train 90 low-income individuals for entry-level jobs in manufacturing, a growth sector of the Duluth economy. Area organizations, such as Duluth Workforce Development and Churches United in Ministry, will refer individuals to SOAR who will also be recruiting/screening potential trainees. Training curriculum was developed in collaboration with several area employers – Northstar Aerospace, SCS Aircraft Interiors and Frost River – all who have identified needs for trained workers. The following courses will be provided by Lake Superior College: Basic Machine Operator, Fast Track Welding, Introduction to Manufacturing Technology, and Industrial Sewing. These will be offered as certificate programs to allow for flexibility in scheduling, smaller class sizes, and more hands-on learning. Other financial resources were secured to provide support services to participants during and after the training. Local Contact: Rebecca Ellenson, SOAR Career Solutions, 218-722-3126.
Grantee	Training Provider(s)	Amount	Program
Teamworks, Inc.	Teamworks, Inc.	$190,974	Low Income
Teamworks, located in Park Rapids, is a private, non-profit organization completing its 11th year of providing low-income individuals with access to employment opportunities. Through MJSP funding, Teamworks will provide training to a total of 67 low-income individuals at their training campus in Park Rapids or via their mobile training lab. Recruitment and assessment will be a joint effort between Teamworks, Rural Minnesota CEP and Express Personnel. Thirty-five trainees will be selected to complete a CNC Operator program; 32 trainees will complete a Welding course. Support services will be available to trainees through partnerships with WorkForce Centers and other non-profits. Several Northwest and Central Minnesota manufacturing businesses have expressed interest in hiring graduates of these two training programs. Local Contact: Michael Christianson, Teamworks, Inc., 218-732-3622.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
NW PIC/Pine Technical College	Marvin Windows, Polaris, ANI Pharmaceutical	$352,993	Special Incumbent Worker
This project involves Northwest Private Industry Council, Pine Technical College, several local K-12 school districts and three of the largest manufacturers in the state: Marvin Windows and Doors, Warroad; Polaris Industries, Roseau; and ANI Pharmaceutical, Baudette. Together, they will develop rapid prototyping coursework which will be delivered at each business to a total of 400 incumbent workers. The “Manufacturing First” project will provide training, job shadowing and mentorship opportunities for new, part-time hires and provide for the development of a manufacturing career awareness program for use within local secondary schools. Training will focus on four main areas: Manufacturing Industry, Company Specific, Manufacturing Core Skills and Work Based Learning. Training will enhance the skills of incumbent workers and introduce new hires, possibly secondary school students, to opportunities in the manufacturing industry. Local Contact: Rodger Coauette, NW Private Industry Council, 218-281-6020.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Central Lakes College	Riverwood Healthcare Center	$326,171	Partnership
Riverwood Healthcare Center is the sole provider of healthcare services and the largest employer in the Aitkin County area. Central Lakes College and Itasca Community College will adapt and deliver a Lean healthcare curriculum to 367 Riverwood employees. Courses include: Workplace Organization/5S System, Value Stream Mapping and Health Sigma. This project will develop a workforce that is trained and able to implement Lean strategies to reduce costs, improve patient safety and care, provide standardized work practices and implement a needed culture of continuous improvement. One trainer from Central Lakes College will be certified in reVIEW, healthcare specific Value Stream Mapping curriculum, which will give them the capacity to deliver this training to other healthcare organizations. In addition, one Itasca Community College instructor will gain master certification in the reVIEW curriculum, which will enable them to certify other trainers throughout Minnesota. Local Contact: Rebecca Best, Central Lakes College, 218-855-8143.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Lake Superior College	St. Luke’s Hospital	$287,897	Partnership
A partnership between St. Luke’s Hospital of Duluth, Lake Superior College and Itasca Community College will develop, customize, and deliver Lean Healthcare training to 192 employees from multiple departments using the reVIEW curriculum. Courses will be delivered jointly by the two colleges and include: Adapting to Change, Value Stream Mapping, Managing Conflict and Health Sigma. This training project will result in increased job satisfaction, improved quality of work, reduced waste and more cost effective healthcare for residents in Northeast Minnesota. Lake Superior College, along with Itasca Community College, will build on their institutional competence in Lean Healthcare training. Local Contact: Steve Wagner, Lake Superior College, 218-733-5934
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Lake Superior College	Northstar Aerospace	$201,284	Partnership
Northstar Aerospace, located in Duluth, is a precision manufacturing business serving the aviation industry. In collaboration with Lake Superior College, Northstar will create a customized Machine Operator program to move 80 existing employees through a career ladder training process. Forty Machine Operators will be trained to advance to Machinist I positions through courses such as Quality Control Processes and Turning and Milling, and 40 Assemblers will be trained to move into the Machine Operator positions through courses that include Regulatory Controls and Precision Measuring. Vacant entry-level Assembler positions will be filled with the assistance of the Duluth Workforce Center and SOAR Career Solutions. This project will strengthen Lake Superior College’s Integrated Manufacturing Technology Program and help them respond to the needs of industry in the Arrowhead region. Northstar Aerospace employees will gain new skills that will provide them the opportunity to advance to a position with higher wages. Local Contact: Steve Wagner, Lake Superior College, 218-733-5934
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Northland Community and Technical College	Villa St. Vincent, Fair Meadow Nursing Home	$279,483	Partnership
Two rural, long-term nursing care facilities – Villa St. Vincent in Crookston and Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile, will collaborate with Northland Community and Technical College in the development of an organization-wide Lean Healthcare training program, customized for each. A total of 264 employees will receive instruction via courses such as Fundamentals of Lean Healthcare, Workplace Organization and Value Stream Mapping. A train-the-trainer course will be created for each facility to ensure sustainability of the new Lean culture. As part of the project, one Northland instructor will attain Green and Black Belt Six Sigma certification in the area of Lean Healthcare. This project will allow the two facilities to become much more efficient, which will allow them to maintain a high level of care in the face of declining revenue. Local Contact: Pat Balstad, Northland Community and Technical College, 218-681-0792.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
MN State Community & Technical College - Moorhead	Consortium of Healthcare Providers	$263,146	Partnership
MJSP funds will support a partnership between Minnesota State Community & Technical College – Moorhead (MSCTC) and four small rural hospitals – Lake Region Hospital, Fergus Falls; Mahnomen Health Care Center, Mahnomen; Perham Memorial Hospital, Perham; and St. Francis Medical Center, Breckenridge, who are striving to remain competitive and operate as efficiently as possible. A total of 413 employees will take part in organization-wide continuous improvement of processes with the focus on making work “visual.” Training will be customized for each hospital, depending on their needs. Courses include: Organizational Change and Leading Continuous Improvement Strategies, Visual Scoreboard Tools and Techniques, and Work Systems Improvement. This project will help the hospitals operate more efficiently by reducing delay, waste and errors, all of which will help control costs, increase patient and worker safety and satisfaction and increase the quality of care. Continuous improvement in healthcare is new for MSCTC who will gain application experience and expand their health care offerings by both numbers and content areas. Local Contact: Pat Wilber, MN State Community and Technical College, 218-779-4861.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
St. Paul College	Kraus-Anderson Construction	$383,608	Partnership
Kraus-Anderson Construction Co, founded in 1897, consistently ranks among the top 50 commercial general contractors in the U.S. A partnership with St. Paul College will develop and deliver Green Building and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification courses for all 774 employees. Blended curriculum will focus on three critical areas: new construction, existing building construction and facilities management maintenance via courses that include: LEED/Green Building Overview, Water Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality. Training will result in many more project managers at Kraus-Anderson being LEED certified and other staff will become well-versed in the conservation techniques that are currently increasing in demand. It will also result in excellent capacity building for St. Paul College, which has a goal of becoming the leading Minnesota educational institution for promoting Green construction and manufacturing practices. Local Contact: Paul Dalton, St. Paul College, 651-846-1429.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Dakota County Technical College	Urologix, Inc.	$189,000	Partnership
This project will help Urologix, a small bio-medical company located in Plymouth, to remain competitive in the medical device industry. Through MJSP funding, Dakota County Technical College will work with Urologix to develop a “Dock to Doctor” program that will impact all 105 company employees. Training will comprise five main areas: manufacturing and inspection, technical, specialized equipment, professional staff development and general safety. CEUs, credits and certificates of completion will be provided for successful completion of courses. Benefits to Urologix as a result of this project include improved time-to-market, improved product quality, proof of business competency, integrated company-wide training and internal capacity, and increased regulatory compliance. Dakota County Technical College will build additional expertise in the area of biosciences. Local Contact: Larry Raddatz, Dakota County Technical College, 651-423-8276.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Minneapolis Community & Technical College	Presbyterian Homes and Services, Inc.	$399,977	Partnership
This project will address the growing healthcare crisis in Minnesota and nationwide by offering an innovative apprenticeship training approach to over 600 current direct care staff and 100 new hires of eight participating Presbyterian Homes and Services Care Centers. Minneapolis Community and Technical College will develop new curriculum covering six areas: Culture Change and Activities, Nutrition/Culinary and Environment Services, and Memory Care and Wellness/Fitness. Certificates of Mentorship will be awarded to 80 selected trainees. Students who successfully complete the Apprenticeship component of the training will be awarded Registered Apprenticeship certificates from MN DOL. While the main goal of this project is improving the quality of life for care center residents, other goals include building a cost effective training model, improving employee job satisfaction, reducing turnover and piloting this model for possible future statewide training. Minneapolis Community and Technical College will develop eight new healthcare industry-related courses that will increase its expertise in apprenticeship training and will likely be utilized later to develop credit and non-credit courses. Local Contact: John Hart, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, 612-659-6503.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Minneapolis Community & Technical College	Omni Workspace	$310,053	Partnership
Omni Workspace, located in Minneapolis, provides office furniture services that include installation of new office systems, office furniture set up and construction. A partnership with Minneapolis Community and Technical College will help Omni design and execute a strategic training plan to engage and enable employees at all levels to improve performance, reduce day-to-day management issues, and increase customer satisfaction. Courses such as Construction Techniques and RAPID Project Management will be developed to train 161 current and 64 new hires during the grant period. A “Fab Lab”, an innovative hands-on training technique will be developed in collaboration with Leonardo’s Basement in Minneapolis. CEUs will be awarded for course completion. Through a higher skilled workforce, Omni will be in a better position to attain the industry leadership it seeks; Minneapolis Community and Technical College will improve and diversify its services to businesses. Local Contact: Jess Lee Niebuhr, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, 612-659-6501.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Hennepin Technical College	Open Source Consortium	$177,108	Partnership
This project introduces new training that advances an increasingly popular approach to information technology using Open Source software. Hennepin Technical College will provide the training to a total of 113 high-level IT professional from six Minnesota businesses – Andersen Corporation, Bayport; DataTrend Technologies, Minnetonka; GE Commercial Finance Fleet Services, Eden Prairie; Help/Systems, Inc., Eden Prairie; National Marrow Donor Program, Minneapolis; and Unisys Corporation, Eagan. The goal for each business is to develop a cost-effective software program that is not reliant on proprietary software. The knowledge and skills trainees will gain through this training will assist businesses in increasing their IT capabilities, thus, improving profitability and expanding business opportunity. The project will position Hennepin Technical College as a local, accessible alternative to the high-cost open source training offered in other parts of the country. Local Contact: Joe Mulford, Hennepin Technical College, 763-550-7164.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Anoka Technical College	Hoffman Enclosures, Inc.	$298,434	Partnership
Hoffman Electric is a major employer in the Anoka area and an industry leader in the design and manufacturing of electrical/electronic enclosures. A partnership with Anoka Technical College will provide Hoffman employees with learning opportunities and contribute to the development of a workforce that possesses competitive and marketable skills. Anoka Technical College will customize its current Machining and Welding curricula to meet Hoffman’s specific needs pertaining to sheet metal fabrication. Lean Manufacturing courses will be funded by Hoffman and delivered by Hoffman’s in-house Lean experts. A total of 1,300 new and incumbent workers will receive training via courses such as Math in Industry, Blueprint Reading, 5S, Job Rotation, Programming of Fabricators and Supplier Specifications. Through this partnership, Anoka Technical College will gain knowledge and expertise in the sheet metal industry and in Lean Manufacturing; Hoffman will gain a repeatable succession process for training their new and incumbent workers. Local Contact: David Jeffrey, Anoka Technical College, 763-576-4725.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Dakota County Technical College	Navy Island Plywood	$49,619	Partnership (Short Form)
Navy Island Plywood, located in West St. Paul, is a manufacturer of customized plywood for upscale offices, restaurants and wall furnishings. In order to remain competitive, Navy Island needs to cross-train their employees to stay updated on new equipment that they are constantly acquiring to automate operations. In a partnership with Dakota County Technical College (DCTC), training modules will be customized to accommodate the specific needs of all 36 employees. Courses include: Industrial Electronics, Automation Controls, Robotics and Process Controls/Lean and Wood Standards. This project will expand DCTC’s “National Institute of Wood Finishing” by providing them with insight into new industry standards in veneer grading in which Navy Island Plywood has received national recognition. Local Contact: Pat McQuillian, Dakota County Technical College, 651-423-8318.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Dakota County Technical College	Dakota Communities, Inc.	$49,953	Partnership (Short Form)
Dakota Communities is a long-term care facility which provides 24-hour residential and direct care services to disabled individuals in 32 locations throughout the seven-county metro area. A partnership with Dakota County Technical College will aid Dakota Communities in their efforts to implement an electronic training system offered through the College of Direct Supports (CDS) and improve classroom-based training efforts. Courses that include Person Centered Supports and Health Care Professionalism in a Residential Team Environment will be offered to 500 Dakota Communities employees. CEUs will be awarded for completion of courses. Dakota County Technical College will partner with Century College to utilize their expertise in the Learning Paths Training Method, which was developed through a previous MJSP grant. Goals of this project are to increase employee retention, decrease turnover and improve the effectiveness of both the CDS and classroom based training. Local Contact: Pat McQuillian, Dakota County Technical College, 651-423-8318.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Alexandria Technical College	Ellingson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning	$49,631	Partnership (Short Form)
Ellingson Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning has two facilities (in Alexandria and Freeport), with approximately 100 employees. To secure the company for further growth, Ellingson is installing SAP, one of the fastest growing business software systems. Through MJSP funding, Alexandria Technical College and key Ellingson personnel will jointly develop curriculum that align with SAP Business One modules and the appropriate extensions. All training developed will be new curriculum and developed in digital capacity. Courses include: SAP-Accounting & Financials; SAP-Customer Relationship Management; SAP-Operations & Distribution; and SAP-Administration and Reporting. A total of 97 employees will receive training which will enable them to meet certified payroll requirements and automated vendor transactions. As a result of this project, Anoka Technical College will gain the capacity to provide services for other business that are implementing SAP software. Local Contact: Chad Coauette, Alexandria Technical College, 320-762-4403.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Pine Technical College	Assurance Manufacturing, Inc.	$49,998	Partnership (Short Form)
Assurance Manufacturing, located in Coon Rapids, is an employee-owned contract manufacturing company that builds precision sheet metal fabrication products, precision metal stamping projects and assembles components for other companies. MJSP funds will help the business to meet its evolving needs and remain competitive by increasing productivity and streamlining processes. Pine Technical College will develop and deliver customized curriculum to all 130 employees via courses such as Master Planning and Value Stream Analysis, Job Site Organization, Error Proofing and Take Time/Line Balancing. Trainees will attain valuable skills and earn CEUs or credits, depending on the course. The primary goal of the training is to improve “On-time Delivery” to 95+%, to reduce scrap and rework by 50%, and to reduce overall production costs by 18%. Through the development of a new Enterprise/Manufacturing training model, Pine Technical College will gain capacity and expand its ability to meet the needs of other companies. Local Contact: Jason Spaeth, Pine Technical College, 800-521-7463.