Description: The
West Central Initiative (WCI) WORKFORCE 2020 Grant Program
helps address problems created by a mismatch between the
skills needed by the region's manufacturing and industrial
businesses and the skills readily available in the labor
force or among current employees. The goal of the program
is to assist workers in attaining skills that enable them
to earn a living wage while strengthening the region's
economy by addressing long-term shortages and gaps in the
availability of skilled labor to meet the needs of employers.
Eligible Applicants: Manufacturers,
value added processors, and service businesses located
in west central Minnesota which sell most of their products
outside the region. Applicants must work through a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization or unit of government willing to
take financial responsibility for the project. In most
cases, Minnesota Technology, Inc. will serve in this capacity.
Restrictions: This
program is restricted to unusual, industry specific training
which has direct and substantial impact on productivity,
competitiveness, or employee compensation. WCI will not
support the following types of training:
- Supervisory, sales, or marketing training
focused on a single firm;
- Basic computer operations (Windows,
word-processing, etc.) except as required to operate
specialized business software;
- Training associated with ISO 9001
or similar certifications;
- General new employee orientation;
- Most "pre-packaged" training
programs, workshops, and conferences;
- Training provided by in-house staff;
- Training readily available from local
training providers; and
- Training focused on company owners
and highly paid employees.
Amounts Available: The
maximum amount which can be awarded to any one company
is summarized below. Grants awarded before July 1, 2006
do not count towards this maximum.
| Number of Employees |
Annual Maximum |
Overall maximum 7/1/06– 6/30/11 |
| Under 100 |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
| 100-199 |
$50,000 |
| 200-299 |
$75,000 |
| 300 or more |
$100,000 |
Deadlines: Requests
for up to $5,000 are accepted any time and will usually be
processed within three weeks. Requests for $5,000 to $25,000
are accepted monthly and will usually be processed within
six weeks.
Application Process: click here to
download detailed information and the application for this program. |
