TLI Participates in New State Dual-Training Pipeline
Minnesota businesses seeking a cost-effective way to enroll their employees in TLI programs can now take advantage of a state initiative offering grants to pay for tech worker upskilling.
Four TLI programs are currently accredited for the Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline: the M.S. programs in Security Technologies and Management of Technology, and the certificates in Electrification and Technology Leadership.
Administered by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, the Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline was created to help employers create or expand an earn-and-learn, dual-training approach to meeting their workforce needs. Through the Dual-Training Pipeline, workers receive a combination of outside instruction and on-the-job training. The program targets high-growth industries that have limited history with Minnesota's apprenticeship system. A number of post-secondary institutions participate in the Pipeline program, including TLI.
Employees may be eligible to participate in the Dual Training Pipeline if they meet the following criteria:
- They must be employed by a participating dual-training employer; and
- They must be accepted into the employer’s dual-training program that meets industry competency standards for a specific occupation
The Minnesota legislature created the Dual Training Grant Program in 2015 to help employers and training providers deliver dual training to meet industry-developed competency standards.
Employers can use Dual Training Grants to train employees in an occupation for which a competency standard has been identified in one of four industries. The employers must have an agreement with a training institution or program to provide the competency training. Grant funds can be used to cover student/employees’ tuition, fees and required materials for the related instruction training.
Employers interested in participating in the Pipeline program can reach out to Pipeline.Program@state.mn.us. Workers who would like to take part should talk to their employers and encourage them to contact the Pipeline office.