Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Program

MJSP Projects Funded - February 25, 2002

Educational Institution	Contributing Business(es)	Amount	Program
Alexandria TC	IRD	$70,894	Partnership
Faced with the demand for more precise and smaller instrumentation and optics IRD has an aggressive multi-state plan to develop and produce the “next generation” of optics and instrumentation. This grant would play a primary role in helping IRD sustain and grow by providing the training to bring the latest technology to their manufacturing process and the expertise to use that high technology effectively. This grant funds training to 37 trainees in advanced productivity improvement, technology improvements focused on miniaturization, and new processes and technology. Wages range from $10.00/hr to $20.00/hr.
South Central TC	Trench Simulator Consortium	$211,277	Partnership
This $211,277 grant funds a project which creates a training partnership between South Central Technical College and Southern MN Construction, Heartland Services, GM Contracting, K & R Contracting, Enron, Williams Pipeline, and Zacher Excavating. The project will aid in creating a portable Trench Simulator used to train 244 individuals. Trainees will learn new systems for shoring trench walls, determining soil types, identifying the need for additional sloping, rescue techniques and all safety standards related to trenching. Wages will range from $13.75/hr to $50.00/hr.
South Central TC	Rolco	$95,000	Partnership
A training program between South Central TC and Rolco has been designed to target improving employee/coworker relationships, advancing the language skills of current and potential employees and retraining employees for technical changes. Training will be provided to 88 persons and will include courses in; Molding Machine Operations; Basic, Advanced and Optimizing Practical Injection Molding; and Sim Tech Occupational Skills. Wages will range from $7.58/hr to $48.00/hr.
Pine Technical College	Virtual Reality Welding Consort.	$300,000	Partnership
Approximately 138 production employees of the participating businesses will receive Virtual Reality (VR) Enhanced training in welding, welding process support, and general workplace skills training. This will enable Cambridge Metals, Dakota Metal Fabricators, and Schlage, Inc. to achieve their goals of reduced training costs, improved training effectiveness, and increased long-term competitiveness in their markets. Wages range from $9.00/hr to $20.00/hr.
Winona State University	MPI & Walow Controls	$216,318	Partnership
Watlow Controls is a manufacturer of industrial temperature control devices, located in Winona, Minnesota and Minnesota Product Innovators (MPI) is a state-of-the-art molding technology company, located in Lewiston. In order to compete in an increasingly difficult market, they see a critical need to incorporate Lean Manufacturing concepts. Watlow and MPI anticipate the training of 208 employees would enable them to learn the methods and skills necessary to practice this philosophy. Wages range from $22.00/hr to $26.00/hr.
Anoka-Ramsey CC	ADC	$201,979	Partnership
ADC needs technology training that is sensitive to the needs of a range of employees, from older engineers and technicians with skills that are becoming dated, to young “hotshots” with lots of new skills and little experience in applying them. This grant funds a project which creates a training partnership between Anoka-Ramsey Community College and ADC to provide training to 143 individuals. Training will include; Technology Design, Networking-CCNA Preparation, Interconnecting Network Devices, Building Multilayer Switched Networks, Building Remote Access Networks, and Internetwork Troubleshooting. Wages range from $27.00/hr to $35.00/hr.
University of Minnesota	Lockheed Martin	$399,560	Partnership
Lockheed Martin is partnering with the University of Minnesota, the University of Virginia and representatives from the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) to create a new systems engineering program. This would be a self-sustaining program and curriculum that will continue to support Minnesota’s high-tech workforce beyond the life of the grant. This training partnership will provide instruction to 160 trainees in System Eng. Principles, System Eng. Management, System Eng Practices I & II and System Modeling and Simulation. Salaries will range from $75,260 to $79,500 per year.
Anoka -Ramsey CC	Minneapolis Speaker Co./MISCO	$180,515	Partnership
MISCO is the sole OEM loudspeaker manufacturer in Minnesota, most of this type of work has been moved to other countries where production costs are lower. As the company continues to grow, they are having difficulty finding the right mix of hand assembly and manufacturing skills. Basic skills are needed by MISCO’s entry-level employees to avoid error, minimize waste, and protect employee morale and mobility. This $180,515 grant funds a project to provide training to 90 individuals. Training will include Work Preparation, Loudspeaker and Manufacturing Basic Concepts, Computer Aided Testing, Roibot XYZ Assembly Machine Training and World Class Lean Manufacturing Basic Concepts. Wages range from $8.00/hr to $35.00/hr.
Century College	Conseco Finance Corp	$175,930	Partnership
There has been a heightened awareness since 9/11 of the critical nature of information technology security for both networks and the Internet. This Cyber Security training project will enable the company to better protect its information assets by training all its existing employees (1300) in information security awareness and information protection practices. The curriculum developed includes: Basic Information Security Awareness Training, Information Protection Practices Training, Information Security Follow-Up Training, “A Day in the Life of a Hacker”, Information Security Laws, Standards and Policies. Wages range from $12.73/hr to $32.00/hr.
Northland CC	Northwest Manufacturing, Inc.	$100,000	Partnership
Through this partnership, designed to train 90 individuals, Northwest Manufacturing will be able to retain their key employees by updating their skills as well as attract new employees. Northland Community & Technical College and Northwest Manufacturing propose to implement a program of incumbent workforce training that will focus on developing a knowledge base in several key areas. The training will consist of: Workplace Organizational Techniques (5S System); Print Reading; Basic Measuring; Foundational Math; Tools of Quality; Production Management; Organizational Communications; Waste Elimination; Basic Production Welding; and Facilitated Continuous Improvement Projects. Wages range from $9.85/hr to $29.00/hr.
Itasca CC	Blandin	$172,501	Partnership
Blandin Paper is a major employer in Northern Minnesota and plays a vital role in the local economy. Blandin faces significant challenges with technology changes and pressure to increase productivity due to soft markets. This project would provide 512 employees certificate programs for Pulp and Paper Technology; continuing education programs for all levels of employees, development of a future local workforce, and an Associate in Arts degree for mill workers. Wages range from $20.00/hr to $27.00/hr.
Mesabi Range CTC	Blue Cross & Blue Shield	$181,515	Partnership
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has selected Northeastern Minnesota for the location of their two new Claims Adjudication facilities. A total of 207 workers will be hired to staff these facilities during the first year. Mesabi Range Community & Technical College and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will partner in designing and implementing a new curriculum to support ongoing training, retraining, and advanced training to meet the needs of the rapidly developing claims adjudication workforce. The proposed training program would support the current and future needs of these two new facilities. Wages range from $11.54/hr to $12.50/hr.
Hennepin TC	Ivex Packaging Corporation	$150,000	Partnership
Hennepin Technical College will work with Ivex Packaging Corp. to provide instruction to 163 individuals in the Fundamentals of Thermoforming in both English and Spanish, Root Cause Analysis, and Corrective and Preventative Action. As a result Ivex will be able to implement a new production process transition that will build employees’ knowledge, skills and provide rewards for training. The company expects to reduce its production costs through process improvements and develop a bilingual workforce educated in the Thermoforming Process. Wages range from $13.30/hr to $56.28/hr.
Pine Technical College	Metal-Matic, Inc	$253,994	Partnership
This grant forms a training partnership between Pine Technical College and Metal-Matic to provide instruction to 450 persons in engineering, sales, machine operator and quality positions. The curriculum will have three major training tracks, each comprised of a series of courses; Training to Eliminate Production Deficiencies, Training to Increase Project Design & Modification Efficiencies and Customized Training to Increase Domestic & International Sales & Market Penetration. Employees will earn college credits for training received. Wages rang from $17.20/hr to $47.75/hr.
St. Paul TC	Manufacturers’ Services LTD	$333,491	Partnership
The fast-paced demands and quick changes of high-tech manufacturing require associates to continuously learn new technical processes and communications skills, even in entry level positions. Courses will include: Comprehending and Interpreting Technical Documentation; Career Planning; Critical On-the-Job Communication Skills; Machine Operators Training; Coaching/Mentoring; and Defects Recognition training. Manufacturers’ Services believes this project will increase productivity, reduce defects and create opportunities for the 555 workers who will be trained to gain valuable electronic assembly skills. Wages range from $9.00/hr to $125.00/hr.
MN West CTC	Schwan’s Sales Enterprises, Inc.	$230,620	Partnership
Schwan’s and Minnesota West Community & Technical College thru this partnership will create a curriculum that addresses the critical need to incorporate the food safety and sanitation requirements with the mechanical maintenance procedures. The company will train 141 personnel in the following five Foundation Courses: Food Processing/Manufacturing Process Control; Regulatory Requirements; Plant Terminology/Systems & Processes; Programmable Controllers in the Food Manufacturing Environment and Machine Shop and Measurements in the Food Manufacturing Environment. When all five courses are completed each will receive more specialized training. Wages range from $8.80/hr to $16.40/hr.
Hibbing CC	DMR Electronics, Inc.	$112,101	Partnership
DMR Electronics, Inc. helps diversify the economy of Northeastern Minnesota by marketing technology products and services not tied to taconite, timber or tourism and thus, less affected by the fluctuations in the economic conditions impacting those industries. Hibbing CC will develop and deliver training to 100 DMR employees that includes: Basic Electronic Training, IPC, Safety Training, Supervisory Training, Computer, and CAD Training. Individuals will have the opportunity to gain certification in IPC Soldering. Wages range from $11.00/hr to $43.00/hr.
Anoka-Ramsey CC	American Medical Systems	$356,365	Partnership
American Medical Systems (AMS) is a medical devise manufacturer. AMS is faced with the challenges of shifting marketing and development strategies in order to stay ahead of growing competition. AMS needs to change the culture of both sales and production within their Minnetonka facility and in their communications throughout the world. The goal of this project is to enable 491 employees continuous training and information resources as products and protocols change. Course topic to be developed include: Introduction to AMS Training Modes, Glossary of Terms, Incontinence, Erectile Dysfunction, and Obstructive Relief Urology/BPH. Wages range from $14.40/hr to $48.07/hr.
Dakota CTC	Goodrich Corp	$199,947	Partnership
The expanding management responsibilities and the consolidation of production facilities presents Goodrich with opportunities and challenges. DCTC and Goodrich will provide customized training to approximately 274 workers. This training program will assist in the development and implementation of training to assure Goodrich’s ability to adapt to the coming new manufacturing challenges. In addition, the project will develop more effective and widely understandable training to assure quality, safety and regulatory requirements are met. Wages range from $11.00/hr to $18.00/hr.
Century College	East Metro Hospital Consortium	$399,941	Partnership
Century College	East Metro Hospital Consortium	$348,781	Pathways
The East Metro Hospital Consortium includes Gillette Hospital, HealthEast, Regions Hospital, and United Hospital. The East Metro Health Careers Institute (HCI) will target the problems of skilled health care worker shortages and the low-income status of area families by providing accessible education and training for jobs identified by the hospitals as critically needed, and by creating a career ladder framework that would provide students and workers the opportunity to plan for employment that not only pays a living wage buy encourages continued development. East Metro HCI will be recruiting and training 300 Partnership and 275 Pathways individuals who are unemployed, underemployed and hard-to-employ. Hourly wages range from $9.75 to $15.87.
MN West CTC	ReiTech Corporation	$130,000	Partnership
ReiTech Corporation is seeking this grant in order to facilitate an expansion of their Worthington facility. The company believes that a comprehensive program that trains individuals to perform the many specialized jobs available at ReiTech is critical to success of their expansion and continued growth. 70 employees will learn new skills in manufacturing, such as assembly of the proprietary products and custom manufacturing of hard goods along with important skills in Electronic Tracking and Inventory Control, Cycle Counting, Just in Time (JIT) Manufacturing, Back Scheduling and Safety Training. Wages range from $12.00/hr to $19.00/hr.
Hennepin TC	Honeywell Space Systems - Plymouth	$200,000	Partnership
Honeywell Space Systems is one of two research and development businesses driving Honeywell’s worldwide military and space manufacturing operations. Honeywell employees were identified as its greatest long-term competitive advantage, and continuous training was identified as the critical means to achieve growth. This project would support the design, development and delivery of training for 436 incumbent and 60 newly hired employees, which the company feels is critical for continued growth in Minnesota. Wages range from $11.00/hr to $63.00/hr.
Minneapolis CTC	CIBER	$300,000	Partnership
The companies on the farthest edge of technology are quickly realizing the vast need to partner with training institutions to resolve the widening gaps in skill sets that are required of information technology employees. With the aid of a MJSP grant, CIBER and Minneapolis Community and Technical College will band together to create a series of classes on wireless technology and a related infrastructure, known as .NET. Seven training courses will be developed related to the implementation of the .NET infrastructure and eight training courses will be developed related to the use of wireless technology. 200 individual plans will be drafted. Salaries range from $30,000 to $120,000 per year.

Low Income Workers Voucher Applications

Urban Homeworks	Women Venture	$75,000	Low Income
Women Venture has requested MJSP pilot project funds to train 30 individuals for manual skills (construction) training along with other soft-skills and work-readiness training. The manual skills training is on-the-job training provided by Urban Homeworks, a non-profit organization that engages in housing renovation and re-building projects for affordable housing.
Summit Academy, Dunwoody	Pilot City Neighborhood	$152,460	Low Income
MJSP funds will be used to provided 54 low income individuals pre-apprentice construction and plumbing training for women and people of color. Nine project partners will cooperate to qualify the trainees for jobs on the Near Northside Redevelopment, the Light Rail Project, and other construction jobs around the region. After one year of pre-apprentice work, participants will enter into apprenticeship jobs, earning $14.00 to $15.00 per hour, with increases each year.
Teamworks	West Central Initiative	$168,000	Low Income
MJSP funds will be used to provide 80 low income individuals training in manufacturing related topics. Training will be in the areas of CNC Machine Operation, Production Welding and Production Operation. Trainees will earn Certificates of Completion. The West Central Initiatives counselor and Teamworks staff will work together in placing project participants. Women and Native Americans will be particularly targeted for this project.
Century College	Workforce Solutions	$22,258	Low Income
MJSP funds will be used to provide Nursing Assistant and Acute Care training to 30 participants. This project will address the problem of skilled healthcare worker shortages and the low-income status of St. Paul area families by identifying, recruiting, and training community residents for entry-level nursing assistant positions . Participants will earn 7 college credits if they successfully complete the required course work. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the NA/HHA competency examination for certification.
North Hennepin CC, Anoka-Ramsey CC, Anoka-Hennepin TC	Anoka County Job Training Ctr.	$49,692	Low Income
MJSP funds will be used to provide 18 low-income individuals training in healthcare related topics. Training will be in the areas of Phlebotomy/Lab Assistant Training, Medical Assistant Program, Health Unit Coordinator Training, RN Nursing Program, Algebra and Chemistry. Trainees will earn either an Occupational Certificate, Diploma or Associate Degree.
Minnesota Resource Center	Employment Action Center	$80,120	Low Income
MJSP funds will be used to provide 61 low-income parents training to obtain skills for technology occupations. Training will be in the areas of Computer Service, Word and Access Software, Computer Hardware/Software Installation, Microsoft Office products, Business Writing, and Customer Service. Trainees will earn between 10 Continuing Education Units for Call Center Specialist training and 130 Continuing Education Units for Computer Technician Training.
Hennepin TC, St. Paul TC & Minneapolis	CTC HIRED	$45,463	Low Income
HIRED’s mission is to assist 45 disadvantaged, unemployed and underemployed adults and youth prepare for and obtain employment and careers leading to economic self-sufficiency. HIRED has selected four training programs which focus on healthcare occupations. Each of the selected training programs can provide the low-income participants with good career ladder opportunities.

Pre-Development

Century College Center	Dialog Line & Fairview-University Medical	$40,000	Pre-Development
This pre-development project will research and develop curriculum needed to create a formal training program to provide certification for Medical and Healthcare Foreign Language Interpreters. At present there are no existing interpreter programs in the state. The curriculum will cover the fundamentals and essential skills for an interpreter, as well as, a specialty component on the healthcare industry. The long-term goal is to offer a two year degree program, along with certificates and diplomas, for new interpreters and continuing education opportunities for interpreters currently working in the field.

Short Form Applications

Teamworks Inc.	Team-Detroit Lakes	$49,983	Partnership
This project will provide training to a total of 50 current employees and 20 new employees for Team Detroit Lakes in the area of Die Cast Machine Operation. Although the curriculum appears fairly standard, there will be some customization in that the bulk of the training will be specific to Team Detroit Lakes. Wages will be $7.50 an hour during training, but within a year will jump to $9.50 an hour.
Dakota CTC	Consolidated Freightways	$49,883	Partnership
Consolidated Freightways (CF) is seeking heavy vehicle safety training as the result of accidents involving physical injury. This project will provide training to a total of 200 current employees of CF in the areas of Powered Industrial Truck Safety and Accident Avoidance, Anti-Jackknife Training for Tractor-Trailer drivers and class A Commercial Driver’s License Training. Wages are $15.00 an hour.