Dakota County Technical College is part of $15 million grant awarded to MnSCU advanced manufacturing consortium
The Minnesota Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (MNAMP) has been selected to receive a $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for advanced manufacturing education throughout Minnesota. MNAMP is a statewide Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) consortium that includes DCTC, which received $887,057 to fund training in welding technology and mechatronics. The funding is part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) competitive grant program, which is co-administered by the Department of Labor and Department of Education.
Composed of 12 MnSCU colleges and a Center of Excellence, the consortium is led by South Central College, which applied for the grant on behalf of MNAMP and will be administering the grant’s execution. The MNAMP consortium was created to help close the skills gap in Minnesota by implementing a structure for advanced manufacturing education that emphasizes a standardized core curriculum, along with employer-driven apprenticeships and cooperative education opportunities.
The grant project focuses on the fields of mechatronics, machining and welding. Participants will be able to earn stackable, portable industry-recognized credentials (certificates, diplomas, degrees), while simultaneously working in the industry. Participants will also be able to enter academic programs at multiple points based on assessment results that match individual skills.
“We are proud and excited to be part of the MNAMP Consortium,” said Marlo Miller, manufacturing and technology coordinator for the Center for Professional & Workforce Development. “Education for employment is the DCTC mission.”
The grant targets unemployed, underemployed and dislocated workers; incumbent workers; and other adult learners and underrepresented groups. Traditional students are also eligible. The program is expected to benefit more than 3,000 students and hundreds of manufacturing companies throughout Minnesota. Many Minnesota manufacturers, industry and workforce organizations have stepped up to partner with these colleges.
MINNESOTA *
South Central College
Consortium LeaderAward Amount: $5,569,615
Total Consortium Award Amount: $14,999,982
Consortium members: Ridgewater College ($1,451,782), Saint Paul College ($1,382,954), Minneapolis Community & Technical College ($1,028,749), Lake Superior College ($908,423), Dakota County Technical College ($887,057), Century College ($790,770), MN West Community and Technical College ($624,735), Northland Community and Technical College ($596,917), Riverland Community College ($519,120), MN State Community and Technical College ($424,351), Bemidji State University ($412,044), Normandale Community College ($403,465)Industry focus: Advanced Manufacturing
South Central College is leading a consortium of 13 Minn. colleges to promote its Minnesota Advanced Manufacturing Partnership. MNAMP’s Learn, Work, Earn program targets TAA-eligible workers, veterans and other adult learners seeking training to secure or maintain employment. The project focuses on providing career pathways in advanced manufacturing in the fields of mechatronics, machining and welding. Participants will be able to earn stackable, portable industry-recognized credentials while simultaneously working in the industry. Participants will be able to enter academic programs at multiple points based on assessment results that match individual skills.
* ETA News Release: [09/29/2014] “Vice President Biden announces recipients of $450M of job-driven training grants”
For more information about the MNAMP grant at DCTC, contact:
- Pat McQuillan
CPWD Dean
651-423-8318
- Marlo Miller
Manufacturing & Technology Coordinator
Center for Professional & Workforce Development
651-423-8612
Manufacturing Showcase
Coming to DCTC Oct. 9, 2014
