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:
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.