New figures released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) show Minnesota gained 11,200 jobs in July. Additionally, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3 percent, the lowest level since 2000 and lower than the current national average of 3.9 percent. Over the last three months, Minnesota has gained nearly 32,000 jobs, the third-highest number of new jobs over a similar span since 1990.

“As Minnesota’s economy continues to grow and businesses add jobs, we need to continue to focus on the skills gap that exists in our workforce,” said Senator Paul Anderson, Vice Chairman of the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee. “By continuing to invest in innovative programs like the Youth Skills Training Program, which partners Minnesota high school students with local businesses through apprenticeships, we can continue to develop a skilled workforce for high-growth, high-demand jobs in our state.”

Senator Anderson chief-authored the bipartisan Youth Skills Training Program legislation, which was signed into law by Governor Dayton in 2017. The program connects high school students ages 16 and older with hands-on apprenticeships and internships at local employers, along with direct and close supervision of a qualified and experienced professional. In June, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry awarded five business-school partnerships across the state $95,000 grants each to develop and implement the paid apprenticeships. The partnerships represented 13 school districts and more than 50 employer partners in the manufacturing, health care, and information technology industries. Locally, TwinWest Youth Skills Training Program was the recipient of one of the five grants awarded.

On September 21, a second round of Youth Skills Training grants will open for application.

“This is the best Minnesota job market in almost two decades,” added Senator Anderson. “If we want to continue to grow and expand our economy, we need to be innovative in addressing the skills gap and training the next generation of workers. The Youth Skills Training Program is a great opportunity and I encourage local businesses and schools to partner together and apply for the grants.”

In the first round of funding, twenty-five local partnerships throughout the state applied. These partnerships involved more than 60 school districts and more than 100 employers in four different industries. For more information on the program and how to apply, please visit: http://www.dli.mn.gov/yst.