St. Cloud State University and two St. Cloud businesses have earned workforce development grants totaling $700,000 from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) this March.
St. Cloud State and Park Industries earned a $350,000 grant and the university and New Flyer of America also earned $350,000 grant from DEED under the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership to deliver customized training to maintain their competitive edge in their industries and meet future demands. Angie Olson, St. Cloud State training and development specialist, played a key role in writing the grant.
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Each company will acquire training customized to their specific needs and equipment in order to develop a workforce with cutting-edge knowledge and skills Combined the companies plan to hire 400 or more new workers over the next three years, said Tammy Anhalt-Warner, director of the St. Cloud State Workforce Development Center for Continuing Studies.
Park Industries, New Flyer of America and St. Cloud State will partner together with St. Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) to deliver customized training for all the companies’ current and new employees.
Park Industries is North America’s largest manufacturer of stone working equipment. It has 312 skilled workers and plans to add 60 more during the next three years. Customized training will allow the company to keep pace with its business expansion and maintain its lead in the industry.
“Park Industries is delighted to continue our partnership with St. Cloud State and SCTCC in the development of our associates through the MJSP training grant,” said Kelly Hansen, Park Industries vice president of human resources. “We are very invested in developing from within and the MJSP training grant will give us the opportunity to develop our talent, train new associates in skilled positions and attract youth and adult apprenticeships through training programs. We can’t wait to get started.”
— Kelly Hansen, Park Industries vice president of human resources
New Flyer of America will train 1,388 workers, including 347 new employees, and manufactures heavy-duty transit buses, parts and components.
New Flyer of America’s customized training will focus on improving processes, procedures, communications and skills including training on business operations and Hoshin Kanri manufacturing approach. Select employees also will receive training in high-voltage safety.
“New Flyer of America is proud and excited to continue our partnership with the state of Minnesota along with St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical & Community College,” said Herb Clark, New Flyer of America vice president of human resources. “This funding will provide continuing development of our employees in the areas of electric bus, Hoshin Kanri and leadership development.”
— said Herb Clark, New Flyer of America vice president of human resources
The current grant builds upon two previous MJSP grants New Flyer of America received in 2012 for core skills and in 2015 for metric measure, CNG and lean, he said.
“Our community is impacted by a low unemployment rate, which drives progressive companies to find creative ways to attract and maintain a workforce,” Anhalt-Warner said. “These companies recognize that the investment in employee development programs often leads to increased job satisfaction, improved efficiencies and ultimately to a competitive advantage in the marketplace. We are thrilled to be a part of these exciting projects.”
The grants are part of $1.5 million in 10 workforce development grants awarded by DEED in March to train 2,919 workers under the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership.
Since 2010, the Center for Continuing Studies at St. Cloud State has been awarded eight grants for a total of $1.7 million and has served nearly 3,000 workers in the Central Minnesota region.
