Incentives for hiring people with a criminal record or other barriers to employment

Minnesota employers can access various complementary incentive programs designed to support companies that offer opportunities to people with a criminal record and others with barriers to employment.

The programs listed below provide a variety of financial incentives, training support and resources to employers. By leveraging these opportunities, employers can access funding for workforce development and support the success of people with barriers to employment.

Primary Programs:

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) - U.S. Department of Labor
Offers a federal tax credit ranging from $1,200 to $9,600 per hire for employers who hire individuals from targeted groups, including justice-involved individuals. This reduces hiring costs while promoting workforce integration. https://mn.gov/deed/business/finding-workers/incentives/wotc.jsp

Federal Bonding Program - U.S. Department of Labor
Provides no-cost insurance to protect employers from losses due to employee theft of money or property. Employers can receive individual Fidelity Bonds for new or current employees who may be denied coverage by commercial bond providers due to a record of arrest, conviction, or imprisonment.
https://mn.gov/deed/business/finding-workers/incentives/federal-bonding.jsp

Secondary Programs:

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) - Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development: https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/training-grant/partnership/

Apprenticeship Programs - Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry: https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/workforce/employers

Dual Training Pipeline - Minnesota Office of Higher Education and Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry: https://www.dli.mn.gov/pipeline

Automation Training Incentive Program - Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) (Greater Minnesota only): https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/training-grant/atipp/

Job Training Incentive Program - Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) (Greater Minnesota only): https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/training-grant/jtip/

Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund - Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED): https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/eraf/

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