[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced over $12 million for job skills training, work readiness, internships, work experience, on-the-job training and job placement for Minnesotans. This is the funding awarded under the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Targeted Populations Workforce Competitive Grant Program, and will allow organizations to serve an estimated 2,100 Minnesotans.

"Anyone who has submitted a job application knows the difficulty and frustration that can come with finding work," said Governor Walz. "For underserved communities, those challenges are compounded. Lack of opportunities for continued education, training and work experience can hurt job prospects. These grants directly address those disparities to help Minnesotans find fulfilling careers and earn sustaining wages while ensuring businesses fill open positions with skilled workers – it's a win for workers, businesses and the economy."

"Race, gender and zip code should not be barriers to work. Yet, for many individuals this is a reality," said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. "Historically marginalized communities continue to face disparities that prohibit workforce entry and career growth. These grants are a vital step in increasing accessibility for those who have consistently faced such barriers. This investment in job training, work readiness and job placement is an investment in economic equity."

"This is a strong group of grantees with specific experience reaching out to underserved communities across Minnesota," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "These organizations will provide technical and work-readiness skills training along with the support needed to help more Minnesotans secure in-demand jobs with opportunities for career growth and assist Minnesota employers in hiring the workers they need." 

The Minnesota Legislature passed $50 million during the 2023 session for the Targeted Populations Workforce Programs initiative, which focuses on populations of workers who have been historically overlooked and often face multiple barriers to employment.

"Welcoming people from diverse backgrounds builds stronger workplaces and will create a more equitable Minnesota economy," said DEED Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development Marc Majors. "Minnesota employers need trained and work-ready candidates to meet hiring demands. These grantees will help Minnesotans overcome barriers to employment and provide them with the support needed to help ensure employment success. Targeted Populations grant-funded programs are one way DEED delivers for workers and employers, and we believe this focused approach utilizing trusted community organizations will be transformative."

"It's an exciting opportunity to engage underserved and under-resourced communities and support and empower those communities to make the transition into the green economy – not just the skills training for people to move into clean energy jobs but also to help communities adopt clean energy practices and make other green economy transitions," said Robert Blake, Executive Director of Native Sun, about the Targeted Populations grant his organization is receiving.  

Native Sun is a Native-led nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and an equitable energy transition through education and workforce training. Native Sun will introduce underserved communities across Minnesota to the many employment opportunities in clean energy-related fields and help them earn initial certifications, as well as focus on preparing people to manufacture solar modules at a soon-to-be-built facility in Minnesota. 

Targeted Populations grants are part of a slate of historic workforce development investments at DEED. The state is investing more than $216 million through June 30, 2025, including $50 million through Targeted Populations; $20 million for Drive for 5, which is focused on training for employment in the caring professions, education, manufacturing, technology and the trades; and $2.7 million in Clean Economy Equitable Workforce grants to help prepare Minnesotans for good-paying union trade jobs in the high-demand fields of construction, clean energy and energy efficiency. This significant investment will help Minnesota address its ongoing tight labor market as well as achieve a more equitable economy. 

Targeted Populations Grantees include:

• Asian American Business Resilience Network, serving the Twin Cities Metro – $600,000
• Community Integration Center, serving the Willmar area – $420,000
• Community Resource Center, serving the Twin Cities Metro – $600,000
• Friends of Career Solutions, serving Central Minnesota – $400,000
• Global Fatherhood Foundation, serving the Twin Cities Metro – $375,000
• Horn Of Africa Development and Education Foundation (HADEF), serving the Twin Cities Metro – $350,000
• Immigrant Development Center, serving Clay and Moorhead Counties – $700,000
• Latino Chamber of Commerce, serving the Twin Cities Metro and Greater MN – $350,000
• MADDADS, serving the Twin Cities Metro – $500,000
• Minnesota Training Partnerships serving the Twin Cities Metro – $490,000
• Native Sun Community Power Development, serving the Twin Cities Metro and Greater MN – $600,000
• Neighborhood Hub, serving the Twin Cities Metro – $1,000,000
• Organization of Liberians in Minnesota, serving the Twin Cities Metro – $400,000
• Push for Prosperity, serving the Twin Cities Metro and Greater MN – $650,000
• River Bend Nature Center, serving the Faribault Region – $600,000
• Sierra Leone Community in Minnesota, serving the Twin Cities Metro – $500,000
• Smart North, serving the Twin Cities Metro and Greater MN – $700,000
• Somali American Social Service Association, serving the Twin Cities Metro, SE MN and Olmsted County – $1,000,000
• Somali Medical Association of America serving Greater MN – $500,000
• Somali Parent Academy, serving the Twin Cities Metro – $300,000
• TechFluent, serving the Twin Cities Metro and Greater MN – $500,000
• Wellspring Second Chance Center, serving the Twin Cities Metro – $800,000

Two additional Targeted Populations grant opportunities are currently available. Minnesota community-based organizations are encouraged to apply for Targeted Populations Capacity Building Competitive Grants to increase their capacity to provide workforce services and training to historically underserved communities of color or low-income communities. Eligible small Minnesota businesses are encouraged to apply for Targeted Populations - Diversity and Inclusion for Small Employers Competitive Grants to obtain diversity and inclusion training resulting in their ability to engage, hire and retain people of color in a variety of roles.