Office of Civil Rights News
MnDOT offers free classes and opportunities for certified small businesses. Develop the necessary business skills and expertise to win MnDOT work.
Small Business Resource Center
The MnDOT Small Business Resource Center empowers small businesses with the tools, connections and confidence needed for success on MnDOT projects. Visit the SBRC in July for the following:
Social circle – Right person, right seat: Smarter hiring strategies
Social circle is a monthly roundtable for business owners and entrepreneurs. Come with ideas. Leave with inspiration. Facilitated by Shelly Binsfeld, president, Rock Leaf Water Environmental.
One-to-one coaching
The MnDOT Small Business Resource Center offers free expert coaching to help you pursue government contracts and manage your company with confidence. Our consultants offer private sessions to help you tackle areas such as bids and proposals, business planning, bookkeeping, marketing, certifications and DBE recertification. One-to-one sessions can be online or in-person.
- Online or in person at MnDOT SBRC, 1461 94th Ln NE, Blaine, MN 55449 (inside Rock Leaf Water Environmental)
- To request coaching call 651-461-0247or email SBRC@drbteam.com
Resource guide available
A directory, including a list of firms that can help your business, is available as a PDF. To get the directory or to request a new listing for any firm, please contact us at SBRC@drbteam.com.
MNUCP DBE personal narrative workshops and 1-1 sessions
In response to the DBE Interim Final Rule, or IFR, small business owners must include personal narratives when they apply for DBE certification. MnDOT is hosting workshops and one-to-one support at no cost in partnership with the Minnesota Unified Certification Program.
Writing your DBE personal narrative workshops
The personal narrative workshop provides guidance, examples, and the opportunity to ask questions to prepare your narrative for certification under the DBE Interim Final Rule. Choose one of the upcoming online workshops:
- June 23, 11:30 - 1 p.m.
- July 22, Noon – 1:30 p.m.
DBE personal narrative 1-1 sessions
Free one-to-one support for Minnesota small business owners to learn about the new DBE program requirements, navigate personal narrative criteria, and answer your questions.
Choose a service provider and set up an appointment:
- MnDOT Small Business Resource Center
- APEX Accelerator
- Current clients: email your APEX counselor directly
- New clients: sign up at Request Services
Workforce in the construction industry
DBE and Workforce Collaborative
DBE committee meeting
The DBE committee is a subcommittee of the Minnesota DBE and Workforce Collaborative. This committee identifies worksite issues related to workforce diversity and develops recommendations to ensure highway construction worksites are respectful and welcoming to all.
DBE and Workforce Collaborative meeting with optional site tour
The Minnesota DBE and Workforce Collaborative is an advisory group to MnDOT. The group’s mission is to increase the diversity of firms and people working on MnDOT highway projects. Subcommittees focus on strategies to support DBEs and underrepresented populations such as women, minorities, and disadvantaged individuals. Following the meeting there will be an optional tour of a nearby job site.
Optional site tour immediately following the meeting:
- Limited capacity of 15 attendees
- 11 a.m. – Noon
- PPE is required; participants should wear closed-toe shoes, hard hat and safety vest
- Participants will carpool a short distance (less than one mile) from the meeting venue to the job site
Results and transparency committee meeting
The Results and transparency committee is a subcommittee of the Minnesota DBE and Workforce Collaborative. This subcommittee reviews projects, workforce goals, and hiring practices on highway construction projects.
Training and hiring opportunities
MnDOT is committed to developing a workforce that meets the needs and standards of the State. We achieve this, in part, by making pathways of opportunity for new workers to enter highway construction. Our workforce training programs offer free pre-apprenticeship programs to disadvantaged individuals and those underrepresented in the trades. In 2025, MnDOT offered eight programs and 103 participants graduated with training in carpentry, cement masonry, multi-trade readiness, and 10 participants earned a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
Graduates from these programs are eligible for higher employer reimbursement incentives from MnDOT’s on-the-job training program for approved trainees on eligible projects.
Please visit the “for employers” section of our workforce training program page to find contacts by trade for your workforce needs.
Commercial Driver's License
MnDOT has partnered with AIOIC and the Karen Organization of Minnesota to offer CDL training to individuals.
Multi-trades apprenticeship preparation
In this 12-week program, veterans and disadvantaged individuals choose and enter a registered apprenticeship program. Offered in partnership with Building Strong Communities.
More information
For more information please visit www.mndot.gov/civilrights/index.html
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