Program Helps Minnesota Workers Retool

Program Helps Minnesota Workers Retool

Workers who are laid off often struggle to find a new job in their field, and many aren’t in a financial position to spend a lot of time training or studying for new careers. The good news is that thousands of Minnesotans are finding help every year through DEED’s Dislocated Worker Program, one of the agency’s premier education programs.

The program helped nearly 14,000 Minnesotans train for new careers in the 2012 fiscal year. They include people like Barb Anthony, who lost her job as a high school receptionist. With the help of the Dislocated Worker Program, she went back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in education. Now she is an English teacher at the very same school where she was laid off as a receptionist.

Melanie Mornard is another program success story. She was laid off from her job at the age of 63 but returned to work at an international nonprofit group after updating her skills to become a training developer.

“The Dislocated Worker Program offered me guidance, funding for further training and excellent workshops that taught me how to compete in today’s extremely competitive labor market,” Mornard said. “I found these services to be priceless.”

The program provides a variety of services, including career planning and counseling, job search and placement services, job training and financial support. Trade Adjustment Assistance funding, National Emergency Grants and entrepreneurial assistance also are offered through the program.

The Dislocated Worker Program is delivering results that support the state’s workforce and strengthen the economy. More details about the program and its services are available in its annual report.