St. Cloud State University’s Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) division has been awarded two Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) grants totaling $293,794 to support high‑impact workforce training initiatives with EssilorLuxottica St. Cloud and American Solutions for Business (ASB).
SCSU received funding to partner with EssilorLuxottica, Central Minnesota’s and the world’s largest employer in advanced ophthalmic manufacturing. This project will be to deliver a three‑year technical and leadership development program.
This initiative will train 95 employees, including new maintenance technicians, supervisors, engineers, trainers and production leaders.
Training will focus on automation, robotics, instrumentation, safety, leadership and the company’s long‑term “train‑the‑trainer” strategy to build internal expertise and sustain workforce readiness. The program strengthens regional talent pipelines and supports EssilorLuxottica’s continued investment in state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing technology.
A second grant was awarded to support SCSU’s partnership with American Solutions for Business, the largest employer in Glenwood, Minn. This initiative will upskill 50 employees across departments in critical areas including communication, digital literacy, organizational skills, conflict resolution and mental health awareness. The training strengthens ASB’s operational and customer‑service capacity while supporting employee‑owners with expanded career pathways in a rural region experiencing workforce shortages.
“These grants highlight the impact of strong, intentional partnerships between higher education and industry,” said PACE Dean Jeanie York. “By working closely with EssilorLuxottica and American Solutions for Business, we are not only expanding access to high‑quality training — we are helping shape a resilient, future‑ready workforce for Central Minnesota. With support from MJSP, these programs provide the technical skills and leadership development that regional employers and their employees need to thrive in an increasingly automated and complex global economy.”
Together, these grants reinforce SCSU’s commitment to advancing Minnesota’s economic vitality through employer‑driven, customized training. The funded programs will deliver stackable digital credentials, hands‑on learnin and pathways for advancement — ensuring Minnesota workers have the skills needed to thrive in evolving industries.
SCSU’s Professional and Continuing Education division delivers customized training, workforce development, and professional upskilling solutions for businesses across Minnesota. PACE specializes in building employer partnerships that strengthen regional economies and create long‑term talent pipelines. Visit the PACE website for more details.
