[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced the recipients of $8.8 million in grants to grow Minnesota's workforce through the Drive for 5 Workforce initiative. Drive for 5 is the state's program for preparing Minnesotans for high-demand jobs in five occupational categories: the caring professions, education, manufacturing, technology, and the trades. 

"Minnesota maintains one of the most skilled, trained, and active workforces in the country," said Governor Walz. "By investing in skills training and job placement, we are investing in our workforce and our economy, ensuring that businesses have skilled workers, and that workers have fulfilling, family-sustaining employment."

"We are partnering with organizations across the state to ensure every Minnesotan has the support they need to find long-term success in high-demand industries with family-sustaining wages," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "Drive for 5 addresses two of Minnesota's greatest economic hurdles by providing pathways to careers for workers and a skilled workforce for employers. DEED is proud to continue our work with our workforce development partners to support Minnesota's workforce and economy." 

"We are excited to announce another round of awards to strengthen Minnesota's workforce and economy, continuing this innovative initiative and building on past successes," said DEED Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development Marc Majors. "I look forward to working with these training program providers, industry associations, chambers of commerce, and other business organizations to empower more Minnesotans to move into family-sustaining careers." 

The Governor launched Drive for 5 in 2023 to expand access to workforce training in occupational groups where there is high demand for employees and a pathway to careers with family-sustaining wages. Drive for 5 is a unique approach to two of Minnesota's most challenging problems: employment disparities faced by Minnesotans and a labor force shortage in key fields. 

Previous Drive for 5 graduates have shared stories about how their programs led to gainful employment, including Daniel, whose Semiconductor Career Pathways Program helped him land a position at Seagate, and Emma, who secured a job as an RN at a Twin Cities hospital after a Pre-Licensure Nursing Apprenticeship pilot program. 

The Drive for 5 awards announced today are comprised of two programs: 

• Industry sector training funding for partners that provide workforce development services, work-based learning opportunities, and job placement and retention services. These programs prioritize transitioning participants from credentialed training to paid work-based learning opportunities, with the ultimate goal of securing employment or achieving career advancement within a related company or industry. 
• Job placement services funding for partners that help ensure Drive for 5 industry sector training program graduates are connected with employers that are currently hiring or anticipate near future employment opportunities in the program's five targeted sectors. 

Drive for 5 grantees includes:  

Avivo, $400,000 

Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc. (CMJTS), $600,000 

City of Duluth Workforce Development, $300,000 

City of Minneapolis, $450,000 

Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, $325,000 

EMERGE Community Development, $500,000 

Faribault Public Schools, $300,000 

Greater Mankato Growth, $65,000 

Hennepin Technical College, $175,000 

Hired, $400,000 

Latino Chamber of Commerce, $325,000 

Midwest Manufacturers Association, $400,000 

Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association, $450,000 

Minnesota Training Partnership, $600,000 

National Able Network, $325,000 

Regents of the University of Minnesota, $300,000 

Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc., $375,000 

Shakopee Chamber of Commerce, $500,000 

Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc., $425,000 

St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, $635,000 

St. Paul Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center, $90,000 

Stearns-Benton Employment & Training Council; DBA Career Solutions, $325,000 

Twin Cities Rise, $85,000 

Willmar Public Schools, $425,000