Egg and food processor Michael Foods and Northern Star Co. were awarded a $300,000 grant to develop a three-year customized employee training program. The grant will serve about 770 employees and opens up the door to future partnerships with parent company Post Holdings.
The grant offered to the companies was one of three offered through a new program offered through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, which announced over the summer that Minnesota State University (MSU) and several local businesses will share in Minnesota Job Skills Partnership funds totaling more than $500,000, according to a report in the Mankato Free Press.
The program itself works with businesses and educational institutions to train or retrain workers, expand work opportunities and keep high-quality jobs in the state of Minnesota. Ann Goebel, director of strategic partnerships at MSU, said the university will provide training in a variety of customized professional courses while establishing long-lasting connections with the three manufacturers.
"The grant is just a starting point for building relationships," she said after a special grants award ceremony at MSU. Two other businesses in Minnesota received grants. Perfume and flavor business Firmenich received $46,697, while Truck Bodies & Equipment International received $157,000.
