Created by the 1983 Legislature, the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) is a state agency governed by a 12-member board of directors who represent Minnesota businesses, labor, government and educational institutions.  MJSP has four grant programs:

1. Partnership, for training both new and existing employees.  Maximum available:  $400,000.
2. Pathways, to educate and train individuals transitioning from public assistance to employment.  Maximum available:  $400,000.
3. Distance Work, to promote distance work training projects that involve implementing technology in rural areas.  The project should enable workers to tele-work from their homes, or rural satellite offices, for Minnesota based businesses.  Maximum available:  $400,000.
4. Health Care and Human Services, targeted specifically at healthcare and human services institutions.  Maximum available:  None specified, but must be within the limits of available appropriations.  FY 2000-01 appropriations are $750,000.

MJSP also has the Hire Education Loan Program (HELP) that has been established to assist businesses in obtaining new or existing employee training by providing short-term, zero interest loans directly to the business.  The business is required to contract for the training with an outside public or private training institution.  Maximum available:  $250,000.

MJSP acts as a catalyst between Minnesota's post-secondary educational or non-profit training institutions and business/industry for the purpose of designing and implementing training programs.  The programs are expected to meet current and future employer requirements through the training and placement of workers in positions that offer trainees long-term professional growth and economic opportunity.

The long-term goal of MJSP programs is to help create an evnironment of cooperation between business/industry and Minnesota's post-secondary educational or non-profit training institutions.

Minnesota West Community & Technical College's Customized Training, Education and Development staff is available to assist businesses, economic development organizations, communities, and other potential applicants in reviewing projects that may merit MJSP grant consideration and to prepare the application.

For additional information, contact David Dinnel, MJSP Grant Coordinator, at 1-320-839-3151 voice, 1-320-839-3160 fax, or by email at dinneldav@ortonville.k12.mn.us

Mailing address:    Minnesota West College Office, 211 SE 2nd St., Ortonville, MN 56278