Minnesota State highlights employer‑co‑designed training programs that feed local hiring pipelines

Minnesota State trustees heard demonstrations Feb. 18 of employer-partnered workforce training models that college continuing‑education teams have developed to meet local hiring needs.

Saint Paul College described a multi‑year relationship with mHealth Fairview in which the college’s customized training unit delivers phlebotomy, certified nursing assistant, sterile processing and a nursing station technician pathway the employer requested. mHealth Fairview provides scholarships for employees and dependents to participate in outreach programs such as Scrubs Camp, and the partnership also created instructor hires from employer staff.

Northwest Technical College and Wells Technology presented Wells Academy, a long‑running employer-driven program that focuses on capacity building in tribal and underserved communities; presenters described trauma‑informed approaches to supervision and a recent $1.9 million federal earmark to support manufacturing partnerships tied to regional collaboration.

South Central College described the Uniquely Abled Academy, a custom CNC operator training program co‑designed with Taylor Corporation for neurodiverse learners. Taylor invested $20,000, provided a training site and collaborated on curriculum and a two‑week job tryout; the company reported six graduates and six job offers to date and said the hires are performing well in retention checks.

College and employer representatives emphasized co‑design, local responsiveness and pathways from noncredit training into credit programs where feasible. Trustees asked for more standardized metrics on students served, revenue produced and scaling opportunities for systemwide adoption. Shannon Bryant, system executive director for workforce and economic development, said work is underway to create a shared CRM for continuing‑education teams to share program details and employer contacts.