Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Program

MJSP Projects Funded - October 29, 2007

Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business	Amount	Program
St. Paul College	Medallion Cabinetry, Inc.	$345,325	Partnership
Medallion Cabinetry of Waconia is a rapidly growing manufacturer of residential home cabinetry with a large expansion planned for 2008. To stay ahead of the competition, Medallion must promote change in their culture and become more effective at building products with minimum waste and in an efficient work environment. A partnership between St. Paul College and Medallion will build a curriculum focusing on the principals and philosophy of Green manufacturing, creating natural work teams, talent growth and retention, and process and production improvement. All 541 employees will gain invaluable new skills, both technical and in organizational change that will result in increased job satisfaction, efficiency and product quality. The project will be of great value to St. Paul College as they embark on their own implementation of “Green” technology into their credit based programs. Local Contact: Joy Sommers, Account Manager, St. Paul College, 651-846-1438.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business	Amount	Program
Anoka Ramsey Community College	Tapemark	$385,051	Partnership
This project will assist Tapemark, a well established West St. Paul printing and packaging company, in its transition to pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing. In a partnership with Anoka Ramsey Community College (ARCC) on-site training will be provided for their entire workforce of 200 employees (30 new hires) over a three-year period. Curriculum will focus on three core areas: Technical Training for Medical Device and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Manufacturing for Medical Device and Pharmaceutical Markets, and Operational Excellence. SolidWorks and Statgraphics will be offered in collaboration with Hennepin Technical College. The new technology and additional skill development derived from this project will help Tapemark reach its goals of increased revenue and expanded product capacity. Employees will earn CEUs for completion of training and enhance career advancement possibilities. The addition of four new curriculum offerings and the development of three-non-credit certificates will strengthen ARCC’s already established niche in the Biomedical Technology field and add expertise in the area of transition management. Local Contact: Jan Pomeroy, Director CE/CT, ARCC, 763-433-1468.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business	Amount	Program
Hennepin Technical College	Allina Health System	$353,518	Partnership
This project addresses the increasingly severe shortage of critical care nurses. MSJP funds will support a partnership between Hennepin Technical College (HTC), Allina Health System, and the University of Minnesota School of Nursing to create a standardized Critical Care Nurse Orientation Program. State-of-the art simulation technology will be used in the design and delivery of training for up to 300 current and 200 new Allina nurses. Eight two-hour courses will focus on a specific body system disorder – Pulmonary, Cardiovascular, Neurological, Endocrine, Renal, Gastrointestinal, Mematologic and Multisystem – providing hands on experience in life threatening situations. Training will take place in HTC’s new Mobile Simulation Center, which will be brought to four Allina sites to enable nurses from across Allina’s 11 hospitals to participate in training. Access to the Mobile Simulation Center will be especially beneficial to critical care nurses employed in rural locations and smaller healthcare facilities. As a result of this project, Allina and its partners will have access to high fidelity clinical simulations that will provide opportunities to acquire and demonstrate competency in critical nursing care. HTC will extend its current capacity to create highly sought after simulations for critical care nurses and will enable them to equip their Mobile unit through in-kind employer donations. Local Contact: Joe Mulford, Dean, Customized Training, HTC, 763-550-7164.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business	Amount	Program
Emerge Community Development & Minneapolis Community Technical College	Graco, Inc. & Coloplast Manufacturing US, LLC	$177,112	Pathways
This project will assist two anchor businesses in the Minneapolis empowerment zone in North and Northeast Minneapolis who have experienced difficulty finding individuals with the skills needed to fill their entry-level positions. Graco and Coloplast will partner with Emerge and Minneapolis Community and Technnical College (MCTC) to provide training that will prepare un/underemployed individuals for entry-level employment. A total of 77 individuals will be trained through a five-week program provided by MCTC. Courses include: Overview of the Manufacturing Work Environment, Work Responsibility and Expectations, Manufacturing Fundamentals, Computers for Manufacturing, and Inspection and Quality Control. In addition, tours, guest speakers and specific work samples and activities will be provided by the business partners. Occupational Certificates will be awarded for completion of the training that is representative of two years work experience. Both companies are committed to hiring participants who successfully complete the training. Emerge will assist in placing individuals through staffing services, job fairs and interviews. Local Contact: Dawn Williams, Director, Employment Services, Emerge, 612-529-9267.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business	Amount	Program
Hibbing Community College	DMR Electronics	$136,223	Partnership
DMR Electronics, located in Hibbing, designs, manufacturers and repairs high-end industrial electronic equipment for an international customer base. With a current workforce of 74, the company expects to reach 100 or more employees within the next three years. Hibbing Community College (HCC) will develop new and customized curriculum that will provide industry-specific instruction to 100 new and incumbent employees. Courses include: Lean/5S (taught in partnership with Itasca Community College), IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industries, ISO, Low Voltage Test Prep and Certification, Microsoft Dynamics NAV Software, and Supervisory training. CEUs will be awarded for successful completion of applicable courses. IPC and ISO training will result in International Ceritification. A more thoroughly trained, increasingly productive workforce will enhance DMR’s efficiency and competitiveness. Employees will gain transferable skills and increased opportunities for internal advancement. HCC will benefit by the development of training modules that are not currently available in the area and will be positioned to better serve current and emerging industry in the region. Local Contact: Tom Gregorich, Customized Training, Hibbing Community College, 218-262-7253.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business	Amount	Program
Itasca Community College	Falls Memorial Hospital, Good Samaritan Society, Littlefork Medical Center	$202,476	Partnership
MJSP funds will allow Itasca Community College (ICC) and Rainy River Community College (RRCC) to tailor a Lean Health curriculum for the employees of the three partnering healthcare providers in Northeastern Minnesota. Customized curriculum that includes Principles of Continuous Improvement, Workplace Organization, Value Stream Mapping, Health Sigma and Service + for Healthcare will be offered to a total of 315 employees over the three-year grant period. Through this partnership, the partnering facilities will streamline the educational process by collaborating on curriculum, sharing instructional time, determining the needs of patients, and accelerating communication among the providers on processes that are more effective. ICC will build capacity to tailor a Lean Health program to a rural area with multiple healthcare providers that interdependently provide health care services across the continuum. Local Contact: Lorette Kent, Customized Training Rep., Itasca Community College, 218-259-4440.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business	Amount	Program
Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College	Sappi Fine Paper North America	$328,180	Partnership
Sappi Fine Paper of Cloquet is the leading manufacturer of coated fine paper in North America, employing 780 area residents. MJSP funds will help address the skills deficiencies of Sappi’s incumbent workforce and expand training opportunities for future hires. Over a three year period, Sappi will work with Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College (FDLTCC) to create a comprehensive manufacturing Craft Skills Improvement Training curriculum, which is not currently available in the local area. A total of 318 employees will receive instruction at Sappi’s new on-site training center as well as the welding lab at Cloquet High School. Courses include: Instrumentation Skills Improvement, Industrial Rigging, Fluid Power Training, and Basic and Advanced Welding. This project will improve the skills and knowledge of the employees and provide them with internal advancement opportunities. FDLTCC will gain capacity through the creation of a comprehensive training curriculum that can be utilized for other regional businesses. Local Contact: Jeannie Kermeen, Customized Training, Fond du Lac TCC, 218-879-0741.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business	Amount	Program
Rochester Community & Technical College	Garden Cottage Assisted Living, Wildwood Grove, Inc., Spring Valley Senior Living, Park Lane Estates Assisted Living, Heritage Grove of Harmony, Spring Grove Assisted Living	$49,932	Partnership
A partnership between six rural Southeastern Minnesota Assisted Living facilities and Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) will address the challenge of meeting a growing customer demand and state regulations. RCTC will work with the six facilities to design curriculum that will meet State regulatory compliance along with four new topics to build technical skills. A total of 139 employees will be selected to attend customized and new courses that include: Infection Control, Emergency Response/Disaster Planning, Assisted Living Bill of Rights, Dementia, HIPPA, Employee Safety, Falls Prevention, and Food Safety and Nutrition. Through this training, employees will develop skills that will benefit them in their job success and will positively impact the quality of life for the residents these employees serve. RCTC will build a new niche in Assisted Living education. Local Contact: Abbey Hellickson, Workforce Development Specialist, Rochester CTC, 507-529-2736.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business	Amount	Program
Bemidji State University	Upper Mississippi Mental Health Center	$49,824	Partnership
The Upper Mississippi Mental Health Center (UMMHC), located in Bemidji, is the largest and most comprehensive provider of behavioral health services in the region providing counseling and therapeutic services. MJSP funding will allow them to partner with Bemidji State University (BSU) to develop training modules that will provide each employee with the tools necessary to become an accredited CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) facility. A total of 68 employees will receive training through courses that include: Business Process Improvement, Business Principles and Continuous Improvement, and CARF Accreditation. The attainment of CARF accreditation will help UMMHC expand revenue and decrease costs while strengthening its ability to provide quality care to its clientele. BSU will gain capacity via new curriculum and add the expertise and training materials needed to offer CARF certification training to other behavior health providers. Local Contact: Jeanne Edevold Larson, Industrial Training Coord., Bemidji State, 218-755-4900.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business	Amount	Program
Minnesota State Community & Technical College	West Central Telephone	$36,056	Partnership
Through MJSP funding, West Central Telephone (WCT), located in Sebeka, will partner with Minnesota State Community and Technical College (MSCTC) to develop an efficient, cost-effective method to help the company establish its own employee development and tracking system. Using Wimba, a highly interactive software technology, MSCTC will deliver on-site synchronous online training to 19 company employees that includes job task identification, performance indicators, training plans, and record keeping. Trainees will learn new skills that will expand the scope of their work practices and enhance their opportunities for advancement; certificates will be awarded for completion of each training module. The project will help WCT keep pace with the most current technological advances in telecommunication, thereby, keeping it competitive and profitable. MSCTC will expand its technological capacity and expertise in delivering interactive online training. Local Contact: Mary Ryan, Director of Client Services, MN State CTC, 218-849-2655.
Grantee/Educational Provider(s)	Contributing Business	Amount	Program
Teamworks, Inc.	HEI, Inc.	$37,145	Partnership
HEI, Inc., located in Victoria, is a full service developer and manufacturer of high performance electronic components, medical and industrial products and software. In a partnership with Teamworks, HEI will train 55 employees through courses that include: Intro & Advanced Soldering & Certification (IPC-J-STD-OO1), Blue Print Reading, Team Building, Communication and Problem Solving. Through training, employees will more readily realize their individual potentials as well as the economic benefit of their increased skills and employability. The capacity that Teamworks will gain in IPC-J-STD-001 will be valuable as more and more businesses seek IPC certification. Local Contact: Michael Christianson, CEO, Teamworks, 218-732-3622.