CareerForce staff and partners are always looking for ways to serve our customers better. One way we aim to serve Minnesota employers better is to make sure we’re sharing information about resources to help them meet their workforce needs.
In our recent discussions with Minnesota businesses, it became clear we needed to highlight lesser known yet highly effective resources that can support small businesses and strengthen the regional workforce. This blog features three workforce development tools that can provide practical, actionable support. Whether you need assistance in hiring, training, or upskilling employees, these hidden gems of CareerForce can help.
1. On-the-Job Training (OJT): Investing in New Talent
What It Is: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides reimbursement of up to 50% of wages during the training period for new hires who require additional skills development.
How It Helps Employers:
- Offsets training costs for new employees
- Supports businesses in hiring individuals who show potential but lack specific skills
- Ensures job seekers gain necessary competencies while earning wages
Basic Eligibility:
- The position must be full-time and permanent
- The candidate must meet WIOA eligibility criteria (e.g., displaced worker, low income, etc.)
- Training plan must be developed in partnership with CareerForce
To learn more, connect with staff at your local CareerForce location to determine eligibility.
2. Paid Work Experience, aka Paid Internships: Try Before You Hire
What It Is: WIOA-funded short-term paid work experiences (some are called paid internships) (8-12 weeks) provide businesses with pre-screened candidates at no cost. These internships allow employers to assess fit before making a hiring decision.
How It Helps Employers:
- Covers wage expense for eligible individuals – no wage expenses for employers
- Serves as a trial period before extending a job offer
- Provides valuable work experience for job seekers while addressing workforce gaps
Basic Eligibility:
- Internship must align with the candidate’s career goals
- Employers should be willing to mentor and provide structured training
- Primarily a program for job seekers 16-24 years of age
For more information, contact your contact your regional CareerForce Workforce Strategy Consultant or Employer Engagement Specialist who can guide you through the process and identify potential interns.
3. Incumbent Worker Training: Retain and Upskill Your Current Employees
What It Is: The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) offers funding to help businesses train and upskill their existing employees. This reduces turnover and helps companies remain competitive by enhancing workforce capabilities.
How It Helps Employers:
- Covers a portion of training costs for current employees
- Helps retain staff by increasing job satisfaction and career advancement opportunities
- Prevents talent loss to larger competitors by offering career growth in-house
Basic Eligibility:
- Employer must demonstrate a need for training due to technology changes, industry demands, or other business needs
- Employees must be currently employed and meet eligibility criteria
Contact staff at a CareerForce location near you for help identifying relevant training opportunities. Many more training funding opportunities can be found on the CareerForce Training Grant Landing Page.
Connect with CareerForce to Access These Resources
If you're looking to fill positions, train new hires, or upskill your workforce, CareerForce is here to help. For personalized assistance, reach out to staff at a CareerForce location near you today to explore how these programs can benefit your business.
For personalized assistance, contact your regional CareerForce Workforce Strategy Consultant or Employer Engagement Specialist.
Let’s work together to strengthen our regional business community!
Shayla Drake is the Northeast Minnesota Workforce Strategy Consultant with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Shayla develops workforce solutions that help employers attract, retain, and strengthen their talent pipelines. With experience from private industry to the public sector in workforce development, Shayla specializes in aligning resources, fostering collaboration, and driving economic growth across industries.
Liz Jennings leads the CareerForce Employer Engagement Specialist Team at DEED. This team supports employers in recruiting and retaining the workers they need and connects training program participants with employers looking to hire.
