DEED seeking proposals for Youth at Work Competitive Grant program

(ABC 6 News) – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced they are seeking proposals for the Youth at Work Competitive Grant program.

DEED is looking for qualified organizations to provide workforce development and employment training opportunities to economically disadvantaged or at-risk youth ages 12-24 through the program.

Proposals must be received via email by no later than Friday, March 31.

Grantees will provide services to young people who are not currently in school, are homeless, involved in the foster care or juvenile justice systems, living in low-income households receiving public assistance, have disabilities, or are from communities of color underrepresented in workforce or are experiencing other barriers to employment.

A total of nearly $3.9 million is available for distribution to grantees who may request up to $850,000 to fund their Youth at Work programming over the course of two years, beginning July 1, 2023.

Specific services provided include: helping youth reach educational goals like graduating from high school or earning their GED; exploring in-demand careers in health care, manufacturing and other industries; growing in-demand tech, workplace and other skills through training and post-secondary education, plus connections with paid work experiences.

Grantees need to meet state monitoring and reporting requirements.

“Young Minnesotans are the future of our workforce – and high school is an important time to show them opportunity,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “In the country’s tightest labor market, this is exactly the kind of program we need to invest in talent – especially for youth who face barriers in their lives.”

The Youth at Work program has helped prepare at-risk Minnesota youth for employment since State Fiscal Year 2013. In State Fiscal Year 2022, out of 5,159 individual youth served, 78.6% attained their work readiness and/or education goals by the time they left the program.

Find out more about the Youth at Work program, CLICK HERE.