​Friends of Saint Paul College has received a grant of $14,538 from the McNeely Foundation to provide trade career exploration and job training for 30 twelfth grade students living on the East Side of Saint Paul who are from low-income households. The project partners with Saint Paul Public Schools to engage the students through Johnson, Harding and Humboldt High Schools. Students will attend a Trade Career Exploration Workshop in March 2016, followed by a Certified Production Technologist (CPT) Safety Awareness course during the summer of 2016. CPT is a national certification demonstrating mastery of core competencies of manufacturing production at the front-line (entry-level through front-line supervisor). CPT assists individuals in finding higher-wage jobs and helps employers to ensure their workforce increases the company’s productivity and competitiveness.

“We are grateful to the McNeely Foundation for their dedication to residents of Greater East Side neighborhoods,” said Executive Director Laura Savin.

McNeely Foundation investment will ensure that 30 twelfth grade students explore trade career opportunities and then receive job training through CPT Safety Awareness Certificate courses. These activities will help students transition into family livable wage career pathways in occupations such as Machinist, Machine Operator, Welder and Electrical Technologist. Grant funds will provide experiences at no cost to students