Over $5 million in Dual Training Grants will connect 958 employees in high-demand industries with new training and career pathways

ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz today announced the recipients of the 2024 Dual Training Grants awarded by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE). In total, $5.4 million was awarded to 84 Minnesota employers to fund dual training programs for 958 employees in high-demand industries. Grants are awarded to employers in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services, information technology, child care, transportation, and legal cannabis industries.

“These career growth and training opportunities allow Minnesotans to get ahead in their careers while helping businesses recruit and retain talent. It’s a win-win,” said Governor Tim Walz. “As Minnesota sees an increase in high-demand, good-paying jobs, we’re investing in the economic future by ensuring the workforce is supported.”

“These grants are crucial for supporting our state’s workforce and reflect our commitment to building a strong economic future for Minnesota,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “This program will ensure businesses in high-demand industries can build their workforce while more workers gain access to different training and career pathways: it’s a win-win scenario.”

OHE’s Dual Training Grant program partners with Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to help employers meet their workforce needs by creating earn-and-learn programs for employees. Employers collaborate with training providers and contribute substantially to career advancement and development of their employees by providing them with on-the-job training and supporting their postsecondary education. Grant funds can be used to cover the cost of dual trainees' tuition, fees, and required materials for the related instruction training in program occupations.

Employers can apply for up to $15,000 (or 10% of the requested grant amount) for dual trainee support costs like transportation, tutoring, and translation.

“Dual Training Programs are one of the many pathways Minnesotans can choose when pursuing a career after high school,” OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said. “I am thrilled we can support these employers, helping them train employees while filling jobs in high-need industries.”

“Through on-the-job training and classroom learning, Dual-Training Pipeline helps employees gain skills, credentials and advance their careers while also helping employers meet their workforce needs,” said Nicole Blissenbach, DLI commissioner. “We are excited to continue supporting Minnesota workers and employers through these grants and create more earn-and-learn dual training opportunities.”

Grants were awarded in the following industries:

• 26 grants were awarded in the Advanced Manufacturing industry
• 2 grants were awarded in the Agriculture industry
• 8 grants were awarded in the Child Care industry
• 42 grants were awarded in the Health Care Services industry
• 2 grants were awarded in the Information Technology industry
• 3 grants were awarded in the Transportation industry
• 1 grant was awarded in both the Agriculture and Child Care industries

Grants were awarded to the following Minnesota employers:

• Aagard - Alexandria
• Absolute Quality Manufacturing – New Brighton
• Allina Health – Minneapolis
• Alomere Health – Alexandria
• American Crystal Sugar Company – Moorhead
• Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce – Anoka
• Apple Tree Dental – Mounds View
• Bedford Industries – Worthington
• Beehive Homes of Lakeville – Lakeville
• Behrens Manufacturing – Winona
• Blaine Lakes Dental – Blaine
• BTD Manufacturing – Lakeville
• C.A.R.E. Clinic – Red Wing
• Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment – Duluth
• CentraCare Health System – St. Cloud
• Cerenity Senior Care – White Bear Lake
• Children’s Dental Services – Minneapolis
• Children's Minnesota – Minneapolis
• Clearbrook-Gonvick School ISD 2311 – Clearbrook
• Community Dental Care – Maplewood
• Crown Cork & Seal – Faribault
• Crystal Valley Cooperative – Mankato
• Cuyuna Regional Medical Center – Crosby
• Daikin Applied Americas – Faribault
• Delta Air Lines – Minneapolis
• Design Ready Controls – Brooklyn Park
• Dotson Iron Castings – Mankato
• Fair Meadow Nursing Home – Fertile
• Fairview Health Services – Minneapolis
• Family Tree Clinic – Minneapolis
• Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare – St. Paul
• Grand Village – Grand Rapids
• Greater Bemidji – Bemidji
• Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa – Brooklyn Park
• HealthPartners Institute – Bloomington
• Hennepin Healthcare Foundation – Minneapolis
• Hypointe Childcare – Lakeville
• In Control – Fridley
• Indigo Signworks – Chanhassen
• Intek Plastics – Hastings
• JBS – Worthington
• Jones Metal – Mankato
• Jord BioScience – St. Paul
• Kids Haven – Buffalo
• Lake County Ambulance Service – Two Harbors
• Lifespark – Saint Louis Park
• Mankato Clinic – Mankato
• Mayo Clinic – Rochester
• Mental Health Resources – St. Paul
• Mille Lacs Health System – Onamia
• Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association – Brooklyn Park
• Minnetronix Medical – St. Paul
• Montessori American Indian Childcare Center – St. Paul
• North Mankato Family Dentistry – North Mankato
• North Memorial Health Care – Robbinsdale
• Nurse Next Door – Hopkins
• Our Lady of Peace – St. Paul
• Pacific Dental Services – Chaska
• Perham Health – Perham
• Pike Lake Dental Center – Duluth
• Plastic Products Company – Lindstrom
• Post Consumer Brands – Northfield
• Primrose School of Woodbury – Woodbury
• Project Turnabout – Granite Falls
• Reflections Dental Care – Brooklyn Park
• Rise Early Learning Center – Minneapolis
• River City Therapy Center – Red Wing
• rms Company – Coon Rapids
• Salute Dental – St. Paul
• Sanco Enterprises – Shoreview
• Somic Packaging – Eagan
• Sonnet Montessori and Child Care – Lakeville
• Stevens Community Medical Center – Morris
• Syngenta Seeds – Amboy
• Technologist Computers – Minneapolis
• The Toro Company – Bloomington
• Touchstone Mental Health – Minneapolis
• Travis Prunty DDS PLLC – Mankato
• Two Rivers Enterprises – Holdingford
• UMC – Monticello
• United Taconite – Iron Junction
• University of Minnesota – Crookston
• Woodhouse Spa – St. Paul
• Yellow Brick Road Early Childhood Development Center – Plymouth

During the 2023 legislative session, an additional $1 million per year investment was made by the Legislature and Governor Tim Walz to establish a Dual Training Grant program for the legal cannabis industry employers. An application for eligible legal cannabis employers is expected to open soon.