Kevin was underemployed when he came to Leading CareerForce Partner Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council (SWMNPIC) in late 2024. SWMNPIC staff spoke with him about his interests and needs and enrolled him in the Adult Career Pathways program, with funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Clean Economy Equitable Workforce competitive grant program.
Through the program, Kevin received guidance and support from SWMNPIC to pursue his goal of becoming an electrician. He attended classes at Minnesota West Community and Technical College to prepare him for a union apprenticeship. His dedication paid off. He successfully completed the program and found employment with Interstates, a company that specializes in electrical engineering and industrial construction projects, among other services to businesses.
Now working full-time in his trade, Kevin is gaining valuable on-the-job experience and working toward the 8,000 hours needed to test for his journeyman license. Kevin continues to enjoy his work at Interstates and is grateful for all he has learned on the job: “Working with my team, I’ve learned so much. Every day is a learning experience, and I continue to grow.”
The Clean Economy Equitable Workforce competitive grant program was created to open doors for qualified Minnesotans, helping them access good-paying, union trade jobs in the growing fields of construction, clean energy and energy efficiency.
The Wilson Foundation and The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Fund at The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation provided additional funding to Clean Economy Equitable Workforce grantees to offer direct financial resources to participants beyond those funded by the DEED grant.
