Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants
For Partnership or Pathways Programs:
The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Program may provide grants-in-aid to educational or other non-profit training institutions for projects meeting the following guidelines:
- The institution is an accredited provider of training within the state in either the public or private sector
- The program involves training that is an area of employment need
- The project involves the active participation of private employers
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.
Pathways-specific Criteria:
- 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.
- For the purposes of the Pathways program, public assistance is defined as persons who receive cash assistance and/or food stamps from the State of Minnesota and are subject to time limits and work requirements as specified in Public Law 104-193 and related Minnesota Statutes.
- 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 (DEED) WorkForce Centers and local human service agencies.
For Health Care and Human Services Training Program:
MJSP grants may be awarded to a qualifying consortium, including public or private higher-education institutions, WorkForce Centers, counties, and eligible employers for projects meeting the following eligibility criteria:
- The qualifying consortium must include at least one public or private higher education institution located within Minnesota.
- The project must involve the active participation of at least one employer within the health care and human services industry and must provide a cash and/or in-kind matching contribution equivalent to the requested MJSP funding.
- The qualifying consortia must describe the specific critical workforce shortage the program is designed to alleviate.
- The qualifying consortia must describe the targeted employers or types of employers.
Grants will not be made to alleviate shortages of physicians, physician assistants, or advanced practice nurses.
Availability of Funding
MJSP uses appropriated funds to award the grants. By law, any single MJSP grant to any one institution will not exceed $400,000. Generally, MJSP funds a variety of 12-to-36-month projects in the $50,000 to $150,000 range; however, alternative funding amounts and program lengths will receive consideration. A cash and/or in-kind matching contribution equivalent to the requested MJSP funding is required from the business(es) participating in the project. Contact the Job Skills Programs Office, which oversees MJSP, at 651/297-1834 to inquire about the availability of funds.
See Application Preparation Guidelines for information about timetables, formats, etc.
For more information, contact the Job Skills Programs Office.