September 5, 2018

Contact:

MNIT Communications

The MNIT-MNPathways ITS Trainee Program works to prepare tomorrow's workforce with the skills they need to succeed in future information technology careers with the State of Minnesota.

Saint Paul, MN: The State of Minnesota has launched a new program designed to build a pipeline of trained IT talent to state agencies. On September 4, 2018, the State of Minnesota welcomed its first cohort of six IT trainees to the MNIT-MNPathways program.

The MNIT-MNPathways ITS Trainee program is designed to provide a competitive entry-point into state service. Specifically, it prepares program participants for an entry-level position with Minnesota IT Services (MNIT). Selected candidates for the program receive the specialized training, skills, and knowledge they need to adequately prepare for permanent, classified employment with MNIT.

“To obtain a qualified, diverse IT workforce of tomorrow, we have to look at innovative ways to opening the door to careers in technology today,” said Johanna Clyborne, Commissioner of Minnesota IT Services. “Our goal is to provide opportunities to address racial, gender or disability disparities in state employment, as well as career pathway and mobility opportunities for current state workers. Minnesota needs diverse talent and skilled employees to help us succeed in our mission to deliver the IT services that Minnesotans need, not just now but into the future.”

“It is exciting to see our public sector partners collaborating on shared career pathway programs focused on building a stronger and more diverse state, county and municipal workforce. In this case the state is building on the very successful model of the City of Minneapolis to attract and retain its own diverse IT talent pool,” said Emma Corrie, Director of Strategic Workforce Initiatives, Office of Governor Mark Dayton.

Within one year of starting the program, six MNIT-MNPathways ITS Trainee program participants will complete over 960 hours of classroom training, in addition to independent work time, module testing, and possible re-testing to satisfy all program and technical requirements. Satisfactory performance, determined by the program participant's supervisor, will govern when the trainee is converted to a probationary status in the ITS1 classification. The State of Minnesota plans for up to 24 candidates to participate in the program in the first year.

“Software Development is bitter till it gets sweet! I graduated from my IT training program and applied to over a 100 jobs…it was bitter because I always lost out to Computer Science degree holders. My software development training was not landing me a job even though I knew I had the IT skills and motivation to be a great employee,” said Willie Suggs, MNIT Pathways participant. “When I met Tom Kine and Thom Jones at the MNIT office that supports DHS, it became sweet! I am using my skills and feel incredibly supported and on my way to building a career working for the State of Minnesota!”

“I am grateful that the MNIT Trainee program took a chance on an unknown entity, and has given me that place to learn and grow. Stepping into an entirely new environment is incredibly scary, and I am thankful for the way I have been welcomed into the fold. This program is the perfect first step into a new career and I am very happy to be here,” said Elizabeth Wong, MNIT Pathways participant.

This ITS Trainee Program is one of eight ‘MNPathways’ programs championed and staffed by the Office of Governor Mark Dayton. MNPathways creates internships and entry level job opportunities that lead to career pathway jobs in some of our largest job families in state government. The State of Minnesota is the largest employer in Minnesota and filled over 6,000 jobs last year, ranging from snow plow drivers and food service workers to doctors, nurses and engineers. MNPathways also partners with five other public sector partners - Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, City of Minneapolis and City of St. Paul to collaboratively work on shared career pathway programs to build a better and more diverse state, county and municipal workforce. MNPathways works to meet Governor Mark Dayton’s important goal of hiring a diverse workforce that reflects the changing demographics of the communities Minnesota state government serves. For more information, contact emma.corrie@state.mn.us.

“Over the past eight years, we have sought to create new avenues into state government,” Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans said. “This program joins our multiple internship opportunities, the Star of the North Fellowship, and the Connect700 program as one more way we are actively working to recruit new, diverse talent and train-up the next generation of state leaders.”

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About Minnesota IT Services

Minnesota IT Services, led by Minnesota’s Chief Information Officer, is the Information Technology agency for Minnesota’s executive branch, providing enterprise and local IT services to over 90 agencies, boards and commissions. Minnesota IT Services builds, maintains, and secures the state’s IT infrastructure, applications, projects and services. We work to set IT strategy, direction, policies and standards for enterprise IT leadership and planning. We also serve Minnesotans by connecting all 87 counties, 300 cities, and 200 public higher education campuses across the state on the MNET network. Through public-private partnerships, our team proactively protects the state’s information systems and the private data of 5.5 million Minnesotans.

For more information about career opportunities at MNIT and other state agencies contact david.berthiaume@state.mn.us and visit the State of Minnesota Careers website.

Photos of partners and trainees pictured below: