MN · Customized

Minnesota Customized Training Grants: A Practical Employer Guide

Minnesota's main customized training program is the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Partnership Program. A college or accredited training provider applies with you, builds training around your needs, and receives the grant, up to $500,000. You must match the grant at least one to one in cash or in-kind. The money goes to the school, not to you. Under WIOA, local boards may also fund customized training where the employer commits to hire and pays a significant share.

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State pre-filled: MN
Program type pre-filled: customized_training

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Pick an accredited Minnesota training provider and call MJSP
2
The provider submits the application with your match commitment
3
Board awards the grant; provider builds and delivers the training
4
You report your match; the provider reports to DEED

1 VERIFIED PROGRAM

Where the Minnesota money comes from.

Run by DEED Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

MJSP Partnership Program

Up to $500,000 to your training partner, 1:1 match

OPEN, COMPETITIVE ROUNDS

WHAT YOU GET

Custom training built for your business, for new or existing employees, delivered on site or at the school. Wages you pay trainees during training count toward your match.

HOW MUCH

Up to $500,000 per grant to the institution. Business match of at least one dollar for each grant dollar. Tuition and tuition reimbursement are not payable from the grant.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The educational institution, not the employer. Your business contributes the required match.

WHO QUALIFIES

Partner with an accredited Minnesota educational institution
Training must meet an area of employment need
Business match of at least 1:1, cash or in-kind
Trainees should not replace current, laid-off or striking employees

Before you start: Yes. Awards are made by the MJSP Board after a competitive application.

AVOID THESE

What gets Minnesota Customized claims denied.

Asking for tuition or tuition reimbursement from the grant.
SOURCE: MN.GOV
Using trainees to replace current, laid-off or striking workers.
SOURCE: MN.GOV
Missing the posted application deadline.
SOURCE: MN.GOV
Match that is too small.
SOURCE: MN.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Minnesota Customized questions.

Does the grant come to my company?

No. The grant is awarded to the accredited educational institution. Your company supplies the match and takes part in the design.

SOURCE: MN.GOV

What can count as my match?

Cash or in-kind contributions. Wages paid to employees during training can count toward the match.

SOURCE: MN.GOV

How long do projects run?

Projects average one to two years.

SOURCE: MN.GOV

What does WIOA customized training require?

Training designed for the employer, a commitment to hire the person on success, and the employer paying a significant share of the cost as set by the local board.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on September 30, 2026. Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN MINNESOTA

Reimbursa monitors workforce-reimbursement programs across every state and writes machine-checkable rules packs that prevent claim rejections. See membership pricing.