Low Income Worker Training Program

Low Income Worker Training Program is sponsored by Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (administered through South Central College). This program helps workers whose incomes are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines gain new skills necessary to move up the career ladder to higher paying jobs and greater economic self-sufficiency.

Low Income Worker Training Program / Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Safeguarding tax dollars is our priority: Report suspicious activity . Low Income Worker Training Program The Low Income Worker Training Program helps workers whose incomes are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines gain new skills necessary to move up the career ladder to higher paying jobs and greater economic self-sufficiency.

The program provides grants of up to $200,000 to Minnesota public, private, or nonprofit entities that provide employment services to low-income individuals. No match from grant recipients is required. The goal of MJSP is to target short-term training for full-time employment in the growth sectors of the state's economy.

Projects average one to two years in duration. Download a printer-friendly Low Income Worker Training Program Fact Sheet . Please check the MJSP Board Meeting Schedule and the current Request for Proposal to determine if applications are being accepted for this program.

Grant funds may be used to pay for job-specific skills training through existing training programs. Grant funds may also be used for training-related materials and supplies and for training-related certification or test fees. When a need is adequately demonstrated, up to 10% of the direct training costs may be requested for operating costs directly related to project coordination.

Allowable operating costs include costs associated with recruitment, screening, referral of program participants and job placement, along with costs for completing program reporting requirements. Applications for this program are accepted periodically based on the availability of funding. Application forms are available on the Forms tab.

Proposals are due four to six weeks before each MJSP board meeting for which Low Income worker Training Program applications are being accepted. Applications must be submitted on or before application due dates. See the MJSP Board Meeting Schedule for due dates and to review detailed information in the Request for Proposal for the upcoming MJSP Board meeting.

DEED/MJSP staff evaluate applications and make recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviews the applications and recommendations and awards grants at scheduled Board meetings in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Board. Applicants are encouraged to be available at the Board meeting to answer any questions the Board may have.

All requests for funding must be submitted as formal application proposals to DEED’s Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Office on forms provided by MJSP. Application forms, along with specific eligibility criteria, guidelines and application instructions can be found on the Forms tab. Following are instructions and forms for completing a Low Income Worker Training Program grant application.

Low-Income Worker Training Program Application Guide and Forms Updated July 2024. This is the full text version of the application containing detailed program information, application instructions, and the application form. Here grantees will find report forms and the program guides that include instructions for managing a Low Income Worker Training Program grant and for completing required reports.

Grantees are also required to enter participant information in Workforce One. Low Income Worker Training Program Grantee Handbook Updated September 2020. Instructions for managing a grant and for completing the required report forms.

Workforce One User Manual for Low Income Worker Training Program Provides instructions for adding participant information into the Workforce One database. Low Income Worker Training Program Progress Report Updated September 2020. This report provides a Narrative description of how the project is progressing.

Low Income Worker Training Program Grantee Final Evaluation Updated September 2020. This report is completed by the Grantee at the conclusion of the project to provide information on the project outcomes. Low Income Worker Training Program Applicant Statement of Income Updated September 2020.

This form is required to verify participant eligibility based on income. Low Income Financial Report and Request for Reimbursement Updated September 2020. These forms are used to report your costs and to request a reimbursement payment.

Your MJSP grant coordinator will provide these forms to you with the pertinent contract information filled in. Each region of the state has an assigned grant coordinator who can answer questions about the MJSP training grant programs. Check the map to identify your region and then find your contact.

Both our grant coordinators administer projects in the Twin Cities Metro Area.

MJSP Grant Coordinators by Region Danielle Kressin – Region 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7W, 7E, 11 Vikki Palony – Region 6W, 6E, 8, 9 & 10, 11 Fun Fun Cheng , Program Administrator Jodie Greising , Director NOTE: If you are an individual looking for training assistance please contact the Minnesota Dislocated Worker Program , CareerForce , or the financial aid office of the educational institution you are planning to attend.