MN · IWT

Minnesota Incumbent Worker Training: How to Get Reimbursed for Upskilling

Minnesota has no general statewide incumbent worker grant. The state option is the Automation Training Incentive Program (ATIP): up to $35,000 for small Greater Minnesota manufacturers training current workers on new automation. In Northeast Minnesota, JET's Talent Development Program pays up to $10,000 a year for current-worker training, with an employer share of 10%, 25% or 50% by size. The MJSP Partnership Program also covers existing employees, but its money goes to a school.

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

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Check your location and size against the program
2
Call program staff before you apply
3
Apply, get approved, then train within the contract dates
4
Document training and attendance to be reimbursed

2 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Minnesota money comes from.

Run by DEED Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (ATIP); JET Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training (Talent Development Program). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Automation Training Incentive Program (ATIP)

Up to $35,000, small manufacturers outside the metro

OPEN, ROLLING

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of direct training costs for existing workers, including wages during training sessions, curriculum, delivery, materials and trainer travel.

HOW MUCH

$10,000 minimum to $35,000 maximum per project. Up to $5,000 per trainee. $500 application fee after preliminary approval. Wage floor: the DEED web page says $39,600 for 2026; the February 2026 guide still quotes the 2025 figure of $38,580. Use the web page figure.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer. DEED reimburses eligible training costs at the end of training.

WHO QUALIFIES

Existing manufacturing or skilled assembly production business
150 or fewer full-time employees company wide
Located outside the seven-county metro area, or in Cannon Falls, Hanover, Rockford, Northfield or New Prague
Training for at least two permanent full-time jobs, with jobs kept for one year after training
New automation bought in the past year or planned in the project timeframe
Automation must not cause dislocation of workers

Before you start: Yes. Costs count only if incurred within the contract start and end dates.

JET Talent Development Program (Northeast Minnesota)

Up to $10,000 a year, employer share 10% to 50%

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

Funding toward skills training for full-time permanent employees, including technical, computer and leadership training.

HOW MUCH

Maximum award $10,000 per employer per program year (July 1 to June 30), which may be adjusted with funding. Employer pays 10% (50 or fewer employees), 25% (51 to 100) or 50% (over 100). Trainee wages count as an in-kind share.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer or its training vendor, paid after training is complete and credentials are documented.

WHO QUALIFIES

Minnesota business operating continuously for 12 months, in JET's Northeast Minnesota area
Employees on payroll at least six months, age 18 or older, paid above minimum wage
Not in the process of layoff or bankruptcy
Not also administering a current MJSP award

Before you start: Yes. JET gives provisional approval and enrollment forms are due two weeks before training starts.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

JET, Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training

Talent Development Program: employer share by size and a $10,000 yearly cap. Mandated safety training, onboarding and basic skills are not eligible.

SOURCE: NEMOJT.ORG

AVOID THESE

What gets Minnesota IWT claims denied.

Training for jobs that are not permanent full-time (ATIP).
SOURCE: MN.GOV
Orientation, pre-employment or training unrelated to the new automation (ATIP).
SOURCE: MN.GOV
Costs incurred outside the contract dates (ATIP).
SOURCE: MN.GOV
Applying to JET for onboarding, mandated safety or remedial training.
SOURCE: NEMOJT.ORG
Holding a current MJSP award and applying to JET (TDP).
SOURCE: NEMOJT.ORG

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Minnesota IWT questions.

Is there a Minnesota grant for upskilling current workers in general?

Not statewide. ATIP covers automation training for small Greater Minnesota manufacturers. The MJSP Partnership Program covers existing employees but pays a training institution.

SOURCE: MN.GOV

Does DEED check whether MJSP fits better?

Yes. Before an agreement, DEED reviews whether the Job Skills Partnership program is a more suitable source of funding.

SOURCE: MN.GOV

What does a business with 80 employees pay in JET's program?

25% of the cost, since 51 to 100 employees is the 25% tier. In-kind items such as trainee wages can count.

SOURCE: NEMOJT.ORG

What does federal WIOA require for incumbent worker training?

Employers pay the non-federal share of the cost. The share depends on limits set in WIOA section 134(d)(4).

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.

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