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YST grant

Youth Skills Training logo

Grant applications are currently closed.

A total of $1.5 million is available in YST grant funding on an annual basis. Grant awards may not exceed $100,000 per local partnership.

Round seven grant timeline

  • Jan. 8 to Feb. 9, 2024:  Grant applications accepted

  • Feb. 23 to March 15, 2024:  Grant review period

  • April 16, 2024:  Grant recipients announced

  • July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026:  Grant performance period

Prior year’s RFP and application are available upon request. 

Objective 

The Youth Skills Training (YST) program encourages, promotes and supports the development of local partnerships between schools, employers and community organizations. These local partnerships provide students with related classroom instruction, safety training, industry-recognized credentials and paid work experience in the high-growth, in-demand occupations of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care, and information technology. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) awards grants to local partnerships to create, implement and expand YST programs throughout Minnesota. Successful applicants will demonstrate the ability to achieve program objectives through various means including outreach, education, training, and supportive services for students. The goal of the YST program is to create pathways for students to high-growth in-demand occupations and support industry with future talent. 

Eligibility

To be considered eligible, all applicants must include a partnership between a school and employer at minimum. Community organizations, non-profits, post-secondary institutions, chambers of commerce etc. may also be included in a partnership.

  • Applicants must include a partnership between at least one school and one employer.

  • Application must be in one or more of the following eligible industries (advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care and/or information technology).

  • Programs must demonstrate the ability to provide industry exposure, industry-related classes for high school credit, industry-recognized certifications and paid work experiences within the eligible industries.

  • Programs currently receiving a YST grant are ineligible to apply to avoid overlapping grant contracts. 

Award amount

The total available funding for the upcoming grant cycle is anticipated to total up to $1.5 million per year. Applicants may apply for up to $100,000.

Request for proposals and application materials

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