Workforce Retraining Initiative: Phasing Out

Workforce Retraining Initiative Assisted Nearly 800 Unemployed Minnesotans

The troubled economy and record-high unemployment rates, prompted Anoka-Ramsey Community College to respond to the unemployed workforce by offering reduced-cost access to a college education and training programs. With the support of its various stakeholder groups, the college announced its Workforce Retraining Initiative, featuring a 50% tuition grant, just before the start of spring semester of 2009, nearly a year ago, and has carefully decided to continue the program in summer and fall semesters of 2009.

With budgets tightening and state resources dwindling, Anoka-Ramsey has closely monitored the program and carefully calculated decisions whether to continue as each semester passed. After thoughtful review, the college has chosen to begin the process to discontinue the program for any new students but continue to offer the grant for those who are currently in the Workforce Retraining Program. Although it would be the college’s first choice to continue to offer the grant for all unemployed students, it is not fiscally possible. Spring 2010 will be the final semester for this program in its current form.

The following decisions have been made for the spring 2010 Workforce Retraining Initiative

For CURRENT Workforce Retraining Initiative Students:

The college will continue to offer the grant (in spring 2010 semester only) to cover 50% of tuition costs for credit/non-credit courses ONLY to students who:

• were approved and enrolled in the Workforce Retraining Initiative in fall 2009 and continue their qualifying status as unemployed in spring 2010. A signed affidavit stating their continued eligibility must be provided as proof. Affidavits are available at college Business Offices.
• are in good academic standing (not on suspension).

No new students will be added to the Workforce Retraining Initiative. This is the last semester this program will be offered in its current form.

For other Unemployed/Underemployed or Dislocated Workers: The college will offer financial express sessions with a complement of services including financial aid assistance, job placement services, scholarship application assistance, workforce center assistance and more. More information on these sessions will be available in the coming weeks.

The Numbers of Past/Present Participating Students