The Northwest Private Industry Council, through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic
Development, is pleased to offer an Incumbent Worker Training Program.
Purpose of the grant: The purpose of the Incumbent Worker Training Grant is to provide direct training services
to businesses and their employees that will increase the job-related skills of participating incumbent workers.
Who Qualifies as an Incumbent Worker: An incumbent worker is defined as an individual employed by a for-profit
business, a nonprofit organization or government agency with at least one full-time paid employee.
Who is Eligible to Submit a Proposal: Any business located within the Northwest Workforce Service Area with less
than 100 employees may submit a training proposal. The Northwest Workforce Service Area consists of Kittson, Marshall,
Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau Counties. Any business with currently funded Dislocated Worker projects,
Job Skills Partnership Grants or training projects already contracted with any organization is not eligible for funding.
Proposal Content: Complete the Incumbent Worker Project Request For Proposal Form.
A selected proposal may be asked to provide additional information as training is developed and scheduled.
Implementation of training: All training must be arranged by no later than 30 September 2007 and all training must
be completed by no later than 31 December 2007.
Matching Dollars: All employers must agree to pay employee wages while participating in training. This will qualify
as matching funds.
Business Requirements: The Business submitting the proposal must be willing to fulfill the matching dollars portion
of the agreement and to provide follow-up information for one year upon the completion of training on participating employees
as requested by the Northwest Private Industry Council or their designated representatives on such items as increased job
responsibilities, wages, credentials earned, changes in fringe benefits and any other changes in work conditions as a result
of successfully completing the training.
Incumbent Worker Requirements: Incumbent Workers must be willing to participate with Northwest Private Industry
Council staff or their designated representatives to complete questionnaires and basic paperwork to enter into the Incumbent
Worker Training program and provide follow-up information for one year on any increased responsibilities, wages, job changes,
credentials earned and any other changes in work conditions as a result of successfully completing the Incumbent Worker
Training.
Training Provider Requirements: All training must be provided by Bemidji State University Center for Research and
Innovation, Northland Communtiy and Technical College or other training providers, as approved by the Northwest Private
Industry Council.
Number of Proposals to Receive Funding: The number of projects receiving funds will vary dependent upon the
availability of funds.
Decision Timeline: The Northwest Private Industry Council will determine which proposals will be funded.
In particular, the Northwest Private Industry Council will look at company need and how the training will benefit employees.
Any business submitting a proposal will be notified within thirty days of whether or not their request will be funded.
Possible Ideas for Incumbent Worker Training:
Supervisory Training
Quality Control Training
Computer Training
Small Business Management Training
Customer Service Training
Diversity Training
Business Writing and Communication Training
Safety Training
Human Resource Training
Other Areas of Training to Deal With an Identified Business Need
For additional information about the Incumbent Worker Training, please contact:
Rodger L. Coauette, Executive Director
Northwest Private Industry Council
1730 University Avenue
Crookston, MN 56716
218-281-6020
rodger.coauette@state.mn.us
