Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical announces four major new grants from Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Workforce Development Division

 Read the full press release, including detailed information on each grant

Ask Calli Ekblad, Southeast Technical Director of Business Relations, about grant writing and her face lights up with enthusiasm. "I love to write grants because each business has a unique story. In writing grants I discover and then tell their stories, and how the particular needs of each company can best be served."

Calli's hard work has helped the College connect with area businesses through four new grants, totaling more than $800,000, which have recently been awarded to Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical to provide state-of-the-art employee training for Cytec Industries, Northern Engraving Corporation, ProAct, Inc. and Winona Occupational Rehabilitation Center (WORC).  

The grants have been awarded by Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP), a program that works with businesses and educational institutions to train workers, expand work opportunities, and keep high-quality jobs in the state. Training grants are used to offset the necessary training-related expenses that are incurred by business, industry and educational institutions to meet future workforce needs.

"Southeast Technical and the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership grant program have a long history in leveraging state, local and private resources to address the critical training needs of our regional businesses," says Jim Johnson, President of Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical. "These unique opportunities help businesses stay competitive and expose Southeast Technical to the current and future trends that affect college curriculum and programs."

Calli Ekblad has worked tirelessly during the past year to secure the four Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership grants. She says, "At Southeast Technical, we are committed to helping local employers develop a well-trained, skilled workforce. Our training grants offer businesses the opportunity to sharpen the skills of their workforce during a time when training budgets may be minimal or non-existent. We are here to help our local businesses succeed."

She continues, "It’s important to give businesses the opportunity to get the additional funding when they are not able to do that on their own. As they"re expanding their workforce, we can create customized training unique to their particular needs. The outcome is so positive and rewarding - and I am so proud of all of our partners!"

The four new MJSP grants will support partnerships with these companies:

•  Cytec Industries, Winona ($323,975)
•  Northern Engraving Corporation, Spring Grove ($235,000)
•  ProAct, Inc., Red Wing and Eagan ($200,000)
•  Winona Occupational Rehabilitation Center (WORC), Winona ($49,803)

Companies in the southeastern Minnesota region that are in need of customized workforce training are encouraged to work with Southeast Technical on obtaining a Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnerships grant. For more information, contact Calli Ekblad, Director of Business Relations, [email protected] or 651-385-6320.