JFCS one of few agencies chosen to receive DEED’s tech training grant

JFCS is excited to announce it is one of the recipients of a Minnesota Forward Tech Training Competitive Grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The agency was one of just five selected for the grant for its innovative approaches to diversifying the tech sector in Minnesota, according to DEED.

JFCS received a grant of $750,000 that will support a partnership between JFCS and Prime Digital Academy. It will provide qualifying individuals full tuition scholarships for UX (user experience) design and full-stack software engineering trainings at Prime, and job search support from JFCS employment counselors.

Our employment counselors will help program participants establish employment goals, assess education levels, determine gaps in skill sets and identify current strengths. In addition to training scholarships, the grant will provide emergency financial support for housing, child care, or transportation. JFCS plans to serve 33 individuals.

“We are thrilled to be one of the organizations selected to provide these life-changing services to Minnesotans,” said Leah Temkin, IT Pathways Program Manager. “Together, with our long-time partners at Prime Digital Academy, we have been creating a more diverse, more equitable IT workforce in the Twin Cities for over 10 years. We are very excited to continue and expand this crucial work.”

DEED Deputy Commissioner Marc Majors said that tech jobs requiring the type of training offered through this grant program are high in demand, and securing employment in tech can put people on a career pathway to high-paying positions in the field.“Obtaining these tech skills can help Minnesotans find employment with family-sustaining wages, which is critical to reducing economic disparities in our state,” he said.