| Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Tapemark of West St. Paul recently received a $358,000 Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP). The grant focuses on transition training for Tapemark employees through October 2010 as it repositions from a printing company to a leading-edge contract manufacturer for pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer products industries. While supporting the ongoing transition at Tapemark through training, the grant will allow the college to continue to build capacity to development new cutting-edge programs in biomedical areas. "We are excited about this partnership with Tapemark," says Anoka-Ramsey Continuing Education and Customized Training Director Sherry Butcher who, along with Jan Pomeroy, facilitated the grant and the plan of action with Tapemark. "Tapemark entered into this partnership with the college due to our extensive experience in working with biomedical and healthcare companies, as well as our experience in administering MJSP projects. The state of Minnesota recognizes the importance of medical device companies as an economic engine. The college has devoted resources to this initiative for the past ten years and has developed a capacity to provide training." This grant marks the college's 33rd MJSP grant. Collectively, the college has now secured more than $8 million in MJSP funding to provide training to area businesses that need to reposition for the ever-changing marketplace. About Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) Program
The Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) Program is designed to strategically help Minnesota businesses and schools competitively train the workforce. Grants are awarded by the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board to educational institutions, such as Anoka-Ramsey Community College, that partner with businesses to develop new-job training or retraining for existing employees. All MJSP-funded training projects pair at least one public/private accredited Minnesota educational institution and one business. Funds are earmarked for training-related costs or educational infrastructure improvements necessary to support businesses located or intending to locate in Minnesota. A cash or in-kind contribution from the contributing business must match program funds on at least a one-to-one ratio. See more information about the MJSP program. For more information about Anoka-Ramsey Community College biomedical programs or to discuss possible training opportunities through the college, contact Butcher at 763-433-1405. |