Youth Skills Training Grant in Information Technology
ISD 728 was awarded a new YST Grant for 2023-24 & 2024-25 school years focused around Information Technology Careers.
The Youth Skills Training (YST) Program encourages, promotes and supports the development of local partnerships between schools, employers and community organizations. These local partnerships provide students with related classroom instruction, safety training, industry-recognized credentials and paid work experience in high-growth and high-demand occupations. YST programs address workforce challenges by connecting industry with education to provide students with opportunities to learn about and gain hands-on experience and credintials.
Information technology jobs were highlighted during the pandemic and continue to be in-demand. According to DEED, Minnesota has about 110,000 people working in IT occupations. The median hourly wage was $42.71 an hour in 2020. The YST grant will help increase awareness to ISD 728 students about the variety of careers in IT through career exploration events, guest speakers and CTE Internships with local employers. ISD 728 is using the grant to create a new online class to explore careers in IT and build interest, knowledge and confidence in technology careers with students earning credentials in their business and computer classes.
The YST program was created to support high-growth, high-demand, living-wage industries where it has traditionally been difficult to place 16-17-year-old student learners in a paid work experience. By meeting YST requirements and receiving approval from DLI, student learners are allowed to work in industries otherwise prohibited. DLI works with local partnerships to complete the necessary paperwork and requirements for YST program approval.
CONTACT US
Work Based Learning Coordinator
Rogers & Elk River High School
matthew.stueber@isd728.org
Work Based Learning Coordinator
Rogers & Zimmerman High School
zachary.voss@isd728.org