St. Cloud State University, through its Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) division, has been awarded a Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) grant through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to deliver a comprehensive workforce training partnership with Park Industries, Inc., a leading advanced manufacturer headquartered in St. Cloud.
This award marks SCSU’s third MJSP grant secured in 2026, underscoring the University’s leadership in advancing workforce development across Minnesota.
This two-year project represents a $397,737 total investment in Central Minnesota’s workforce, combining a $135K grant with over $262K in matching funds from Park Industries. The initiative will provide customized training for 217 employees, strengthening technical capabilities, leadership development, digital skills and customer-facing excellence across Park Industries’ workforce.
This grant supports a robust training model designed to address critical workforce challenges in advanced manufacturing, including skills gaps, leadership readiness, digital transformation and employee retention in a tight labor market.
The training initiative is expected to deliver measurable outcomes for both employees and the regional economy. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready workforce across Central Minnesota.
The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), provides funding for employer-driven training partnerships that strengthen workforce skills, increase competitiveness and support economic growth across the state.
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 information.
