Sappi gets $100,000 state training grant

Sen. Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) announced Tuesday that Sappi Fine Paper in Cloquet was selected to receive a $100,000 grant from Minnesota’s Dual Training Grant Program.

The grant will help Sappi provide 25 employees with an opportunity to advance their careers through on-the-job training in advanced manufacturing.

“It is exciting to see a great company like Sappi selected for such an important grant,” said Sen. Rarick. “I’m an electrician, so I can tell you firsthand how well the apprenticeship model works for job training. Dual-training programs try to replicate that model. Workers are able to learn new skills and companies are able to put those skills to use right away. Most important, this program is a great way for employers and employees to show their commitment to each other.”

The Minnesota Legislature established the Dual Training Grant program, which pairs on-the-job training with related instruction to generate a comprehensive platform for learning. Employers may apply for Dual Training Grants to reimburse related instruction costs of dual-training programs in occupations for which competency standards have been identified among industries of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services and information technology.