Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Program

Application Preparation Guidelines

Organizations and institutions should follow these guidelines when preparing to submit a formal proposal requesting Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) Program grant funds.

Timetables

All requests for funding must be submitted as formal application proposals to the Job Skills Programs Office on or before application due-dates, which are generally 20-30 workdays before each MJSP Board meeting. The Job Skills Programs Office staff evaluate applications and make recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviews the applications and recommendations and awards grants in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Board. Due-dates for submission of proposals are listed on the MJSP Board Calendar of Events and the State Register.

Format

Organizations and institutions interested in submitting an application must adhere to the following conditions:

Applications must be typewritten and have numbered pages and a table of contents.
Applications may be no more than 20 pages. Appropriate attachments such as the budget, private-sector commitment letters, or letters of support may be submitted in addition to the 20-page limit.
One original with authorized signatures and 10 two-sided copies of each application must be received by the Job Skills Programs Office by 4:30 p.m. on the due-date. Proposals should be delivered to:

Job Skills Programs Office
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
1st National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street, Suite E200
St. Paul, MN 55101-1351
Applications should be submitted using the following format (detailed explanation of these items and all proposal requirements are included on the application forms; also note that the short-form application for requests up to $50,000 follows a slightly altered format):

I. PROGRAMMATIC REQUIREMENTS

Proposal Cover Page

SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION

Subsection 1.A. Grantee

Subsection 1.B. Participating Business(es)

SECTION 2. PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

Subsection 2.A. Need Statement

Subsection 2.B. Work Statement/Curriculum

Subsection 2.C. Institutional Impact

Subsection 2.D. Target Population

Subsection 2.E. Placement

Subsection 2.F. Career Paths (not needed for Partnership Program)

Subsection 2.G. Defined Educational Pathway (not needed for Partnership Program)

SECTION 3. CONTRIBUTING BUSINESS(ES) PARTICIPATION

SECTION 4. LINKAGES

II. FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

BUDGET GUIDELINES

MJSP Allowed Costs

Contributing Business Allowed Costs

Grantee/Linkages Allowed Cost

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING FINANCIAL INFORMATION FORMS

Budget Explanation of Revenue

Supporting Budget Schedule

III. GRANT PROPOSAL CHECKLIST

Programmatic Information

Applicants are expected to comply with the general assurances and certifications required by the State of Minnesota as well as any special requirements included in the grant document.
The solicitation of a proposal does not commit the MJSP Board to award a grant, pay the costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal, procure or contract for services or supplies, or issue a written grant agreement.
In order to provide for multiple funding cycles, the MJSP Board may authorize less than the available funds at any Board meeting. The Board retains the right to accept or reject all proposals, negotiate with selected bidders, and require revisions to applications as agreed during negotiations. The awarding of a grant to successful bidders is contingent upon satisfactory negotiations and signing of the grant agreement.
For Partnership and Pathways Programs, MJSP encourages the submission of proposals from all types of post-secondary institutions. MJSP also encourages linkages between two or more educational institutions or systems if this cooperation will result in the ability to better deliver a comprehensive training program to business and industry.
- For the Health Care and Human Services Training Program, consortiums should include service agencies and organizations that have access to and knowledge of target populations. These may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: Department of Employment and Economic Development, Department of Human Services, local workforce centers, private industry councils, local workforce councils, and other organizations serving particular client groups identified in the proposal.
The central theme of MJSP training activity for the Partnership and Pathways Programs is the direct involvement of private business and industry in the preparation and implementation of education and training. MJSP believes that education and training programs that involve business and industry from the very beginning have the best chance of success in both the quality of training and the number of actual job placements. While MJSP seeks to fund training programs that will address immediate industry needs, it also intends to serve as a catalyst in the development of long-lasting relationships between education and industry - relationships that will continue beyond the individual project duration.
- The central theme of the Health Care and Human Services Training Program is to alleviate the health care and human service worker shortages confronting specific geographical areas of the state, while increasing opportunities for current and potential direct-care employees to qualify for advanced positions in the field through experience, training, and education.
MJSP may support Partnership and Pathways Programs' projects that involve more than one employer. Training may take place at the educational institution, the company(ies), or a location acceptable to the two parties. MJSP encourages innovative, creative, and effective models of interaction between education and business.
- For the Health Care and Human Services Training Program, training may take place at a site or location acceptable to the members of the consortium. MJSP especially encourages innovative, creative and effective models of interaction between educational institutions and other members of the consortia providing education and training. Some examples of innovation include projects utilizing customized onsite training, distance learning, or training in new and emerging technologies.
The goal of the MJSP is to target training for full-time employment in the growth sectors of the state's economy. While participating employers will not be required to commit themselves to hiring all trainees, a high percentage of placements or retention is expected.
Trainees should not be used to replace current employees, laid-off employees, or those who are on strike. Trainee recruitment and selection processes should demonstrate commitment to including minorities, women, persons with disabilities, persons on public assistance, and other economically disadvantaged persons or those who are victims of economic dislocation.
While one major goal of the MJSP is to create a permanent partnership between education and training institutions and private business, it also seeks to ensure that the numerous agencies currently involved in the state's employment, training, and education systems coordinate the development and implementation of their programs with existing employment, training, and education resources in their area.
Applicants must be able to work cooperatively with appropriate service agencies and organizations that have access to and knowledge of the target populations. These may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: the Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Department of Human Services, local WorkForce Centers, local workforce investment boards, and other organizations serving particular client groups identified in the proposal.

Financial Information

While MJSP maintains a flexible attitude towards cost and match requirements, there are definite parameters within which the costs and match must fall. It should be noted that MJSP's policy on budget revisions is that they should be kept to a minimum. All costs of the training program to be conducted must be detailed. Specifically, the financial commitments sought from MJSP, contributing business(es), and the educational institution or other third parties must be itemized.

Match Requirements

MJSP funds must be matched by contributions from one or more participating businesses. The amount contributed by the business(es) must equal or exceed the amount of MJSP funds requested. This is referred to as a 1:1, or dollar-for-dollar matching ratio. The match may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions of goods or services. MJSP will give preference in funding to those proposals with well-developed and continued private sector involvement. In order to receive this preference, the educational institution must identify the private sector support up-front and submit the following materials along with the proposal application:

the name(s) of the participating company(ies);
signed letter(s) of commitment from these same company(ies) describing the level of company involvement/support (see sample letter in the application); and
a budget plan which details the level and type of business support.

Health Care and Human Services Training Program grantees must guarantee that small employers, including licensed personal care assistant organizations, be allowed to participate in consortium programs. The financial contributions required from a small employer must be adjusted to reflect the employer’s financial circumstances (see Minnesota Statutes 116.15). The grant application must specify the financial contribution from each member of the consortium.

Tuition

MJSP recognizes in some cases that potential trainees may be economically disadvantaged and unable to pay tuition. In these cases, state and federal job training programs, educational institution stipends, federal grants, other state funds, company funds, or other outside sources of funding should be sought to cover tuition expenses for those who cannot afford to pay their own. Tuition paid by a private company may be considered a match; tuition paid by the educational institution or trainee may not. Note: MJSP funds cannot be used to pay tuition or for tuition reimbursement.

Affirmative Action Compliance

All agencies receiving MJSP grants must comply with state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination.

For more information, contact the Job Skills Programs Office.