The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has announced the Youth Skills Training (YST) Program.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/04/2022
Size of the Grant:$100,000
Grant Duration: 2 years
Details:
The Youth Skills Training (YST) program encourages, promotes and supports the development of local partnerships between schools, employers and community organizations. These local partnerships provide students with related classroom instruction, safety training, industry-recognized credentials and paid work experience in high-growth and high-demand occupations in the industries of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care and information technology. Successful applicants will demonstrate the ability to achieve these objectives through various means including outreach, education, training and supportive services for students.
YST programs provide students with a meaningful alternative to enrolling directly into a high-cost, debtincurring, four-year degree program without a plan. Employers throughout the state report an increasing number of unfilled positions in high-paying jobs that require a certification or two-year degree. Employers also indicate significant challenges in finding qualified and trainable employees to fill these skilled positions.
Grant funds can be used for marketing, recruitment, training, transportation, student certifications and personnel to manage a program. Grants cannot be used to pay student wages.
Grant Amount
Minnesota statutes allocate $1 million in annual grant funding for local YST partnerships. A maximum of $100,000 is awarded to selected YST partnerships to spend over a two-year grant period.
Grant Period
July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025: Performance period
Requirements
Funding can be used to coordinate and implement YST programs. Specifically, local YST partnerships have used grant money for:
- marketing and advertising programs;
- recruiting schools, employers and students;
- employer training;
- student transportation;
- staff members to coordinate and monitor program outcomes; and
- student credentials or certifications.
Funds cannot be used to pay student wages.
Additional YST grant application information and instructions are at www.dli.mn.gov/YST.
Requirements of a YST program
- Local partnership (education and employer).
- Industry-related classroom instruction for high school credit.
- Safe and meaningful paid work experiences for students 16 years of age or older.
- Qualified supervision and safety training.
- At least 60 percent of students receive an industry credential.
- At least 80 percent of eligible students graduate.
Age and hours
By state law, 16- and 17-year-olds may not work after 11 p.m. on evenings before school days or before 5 a.m. on school days.
For more information, visit Youth Skills Training (YST) Program.
