Narrative: b. 2.

Apprenticeship Minnesota at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry supports Minnesota’s economy by fostering and promoting employment-based career development through registered apprenticeship programs that provide structured on-the-job training and related classroom instruction to develop a highly skilled, diverse and inclusive workforce. Apprenticeship Minnesota is the State Apprenticeship Authority designated by the US Department of Labor. Registered apprenticeships have been governed by the Minnesota Apprenticeship Act since its inception in 1939.

Apprenticeship Minnesota’s strategies include:

1. Expand registered apprenticeship in Minnesota with a focus on high-growth industries as an effective employment-based tool to recruit, train and retain a highly skilled, diverse and inclusive 21st Century workforce. 2. Deliver direct employer and industry engagement providing high-touch, program development services while overseeing training program administration to ensure integrity and quality that benefits apprentices. 3. Promote workforce diversity and inclusion through registered apprenticeship programs, grants, and partnerships. 4. Ensure portability and support of the career development continuum for youth, apprentices and graduates through outreach, engagement, and collaborations.

There are approximately 200 apprenticeship programs with more than 11,000 apprentices currently registered and active in the State of Minnesota. These numbers continue to grow as employers seek to address the growing wave of generation retirements and slowing workforce growth. The vast majority of apprentices and registered programs are primarily in the construction industry, but there are more than 100 programs in advanced manufacturing, health care, information technology, transportation/automotive, and utilities.

Registered Apprenticeships are considered a part of the continuum of training opportunities in the career pathways system providing a premier earn-as-you-learn model that provides employers a talent development and retention pipeline while ensuring apprentices obtain a nationally recognized credential when completing their apprenticeship.

Register Apprenticeship is an important part of the sector strategies within the 6 WIOA regions in Minnesota. Apprenticeship Minnesota seeks opportunities to collaborate and align on the program development of occupations in-demand leading to good wages and career advancement. Registered Apprenticeships are also a part of the Eligible Training Provider List.

Apprenticeship Initiatives, Innovation & Investments include:

Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative The State of Minnesota received a $5M grant from the US Department of Labor to engage more than 100 employers in developing registered apprenticeship programs to recruit, train and retain 1,000 new apprentices in 30 occupations over the next five years in the following industries: advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care, information technology and transportation. Employers are awarded grants to assist with the costs to develop registered apprenticeship programs. This helps off-set education costs, apprentice supplies and materials, and infrastructure costs to establish a registered apprenticeship. The grant is a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and DLI.

Apprenticeship Accelerator Grant Apprenticeship Minnesota received a $200,000 grant from the US DOL to accelerate the development and implementation of industry-driven competency-based registered apprenticeship programs. These funds were used to create tools and resources to enhance apprenticeship in Minnesota by assisting employers in their efforts to build apprenticeship programs, foster career continuum strategies such as career exposure, exploration, and readiness for youth, and better align community, industries, labor and education partners.

Apprenticeship Expansion (APEX) Grant Apprenticeship Minnesota received a $1.5M to expand and support construction apprenticeship programs to facilitate greater diversity and inclusion, engage construction employers statewide about on-the-job training best practices on recruiting and retention. The grant supports pre-apprenticeships and career readiness pilot programs aligned with current registered apprenticeship programs. Grant funding is also being used to raise awareness about the registered apprenticeship model to employers, workers, youth and educators.

Labor Education and Advancement Program Initiative Apprenticeship Minnesota grants $100,000 per year to fund community-based efforts to facilitate the participation of minorities and women in registered apprenticeship. These grants are awarded annually to community-based partners who apply on a competitive request-for-proposal basis. Funds are used for training and services to remove barriers to apprenticeship opportunities.

Private Investment, Public Education, Labor, and Industry Experience (PIPELINE) Program The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s PIPELINE Program is an innovative, industry-based, employer-driven approach to engaging and supporting employers in the development and expansion of dual-training through tools and technical support. Leveraging Minnesota’s success in registered apprenticeship, PIPELINE engages employers, industry, education and other interested stakeholders to facilitate how employers can deliver workers the skills needed. Dual-training grants, administered by Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE), provide funding for employers to create new dual-training programs and provide dual-training opportunities.