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Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline

Dual-training recognition badge

Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline invites employers using a dual-training program for workforce development to apply for a dual-training recognition badge. By securing this recognition, businesses and organizations are more likely to attract quality-seeking employees and experience increased retention among their employees. Pipeline staff will review the application and notify the employer regarding the recognition opportunity:

Once an employer is recognized, they can display the Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline employer badge on their business properties and website.
When an employer is recognized, their partner education provider and any community-based organizations they work with may display the Pipeline Dual-Training partner badge on their business properties and website.


Download employer badge	Download partner badge

Goodwill-Easter Seals

Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides job training and career navigation services to eliminate barriers to work and independence. Revenue from nearly 50 retail stores ― along with grants and financial contributions ― supports Minnesotans with digital literacy skills, resume development, understanding government benefits and more. Shopping and donating helps divert over 65 million pounds from landfills annually and have helped connect people to jobs since 1919. Goodwill-Easter Seals has used the Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline for information technology training for four grant rounds, which has led to IT certificates and advancement for fourteen employees at the organization.

"In a competitive technology job market, the Dual-Training Pipeline has been an effective tool to increase engagement and allow our staff to grow into new roles." – Christopher McCarty, director, Information Technology

"I received training and exposure that allowed me to increase my skills and jump from our IT service desk to the IT development team where I am now creating apps, designing automations and building software solutions."

– Joery Thor, dual trainee

New Ulm Medical Center

New Ulm Medical Center is a nonprofit hospital and clinic serving the region in and around Brown County located in south central Minnesota. The medical center includes over 600 employees and approximately 50 multi-specialty physicians and has been recognized as a national leader in areas of patient safety, population health, innovation, and data analytics.

“As a rural healthcare provider, ensuring that we have a local talent pipeline is critical to the health of the communities we serve. We have participated in the Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline program for three years now, and have expanded our programs to include both licensed practical nursing and surgical technologists. This program has allowed us to address critical workforce shortages while supporting our employees as they pursue the careers of their dreams. As an employer, we are leveraging existing tuition reimbursement programs in parallel with this program, so our trainees are able to follow their professional calling without the worry of financial hardships. We’ve been able to successfully place multiple trainees in their chosen profession, thanks to the Dual Training Grant, and look forward to building our local workforce with this partnership for years to come.”

– Katie Slette, director of human resources, New Ulm Medical Center, a part of Allina Health

V-TEK, Inc.

Since 1985, V-TEK, Inc. has been a leading manufacturer of taping solutions and machines for the semiconductor industry. V-TEK has partnered with Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline for four years working with students who show interest and desire to work with robotics and automation. Students in the Mechatronics Program use their classroom skills by learning to build, repair and program manual, semi-automatic, automatic and robotic machines and systems.

The skills and knowledge they bring to the company allows V-TEK to create and provide new solutions and products and the experience and training provided to the students shows them a true value and potential for their work and study.

"Learning real responsibility for my work, building a machine from scratch and carrying it all the way to a final QC check and being responsible for the whole thing was a big realization. The experiences helped me to see how important my classes were and how much a company can rely on my abilities. I am grateful the program motivated me to study and work hard and really gave me the chance to see what was out there" – Oscar B., dual trainee graduate

Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline receives innovation award

The Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline was awarded a 2016 State Government Innovation Award from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the Nonprofit Leadership Center. The award recognizes "the great work of state government entities and encourages an environment of experimentation and innovation in Minnesota."