July 17, 2019
July 17, 2019 – Northland Community and Technical College will be able to offer nearly 20 additional $2,500 scholarships to new incoming or existing students declaring high-demand majors for fall 2019 semester.
The Workforce Development Scholarships are part of an eight-million dollar appropriation awarded to the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities to award scholarships to students studying agriculture, health care, information technology, manufacturing, early childhood education, and transportation over the next two years.
As I have traveled around the state, a theme that I consistently hear from employers is that Minnesota is facing a critical shortage of workers with the skills needed for high-demand occupations.
Chancellor Malhotra visited Northlands East Grand Forks and Thief River Falls campuses on Tuesday, July 9, to announce and promote this initiative. As I have traveled around the state, a theme that I consistently hear from employers is that Minnesota is facing a critical shortage of workers with the skills needed for high-demand occupations, said Malhotra. Workforce Development Scholarships have proven to be an effective tool for attracting students into these fields and helping them find a path towards a satisfying and well-paying career. We are grateful to the Legislature and the Governor for this opportunity, and we look forward to awarding these scholarships to help meet Minnesotas workforce needs.
Our region is desperate for skilled workers. The Minnesota State Legislature recognizes that and has allocated funding in the right place a front-end scholarship for students pursuing those high-demand careers, explains Lars Dyrud, Executive Director of Northland Community & Technical College Foundation. A $2,500 Workforce Development Scholarship is a huge incentive for students who may be on the fence about enrolling in these program areas. Most of our students at Northland work part-time and even full-time jobs just to make ends meet. This makes the decision to enroll easier.
Before I received this scholarship I was faced with two choices, take out a bunch of loans to finance school, or work near full-time while in school to pay for my tuition.
Northland Workforce Development Scholarship recipients shared their stories and how receiving this scholarship has impacted their educational goals. I have always wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember, shares Emma Jordet, incoming East Grand Forks nursing student, But, the cost of education has skyrocketed forcing my generation to make difficult decisions. Before I received this scholarship I was faced with two choices, take out a bunch of loans to finance school, or work near full-time while in school to pay for my tuition.
Maddie Stewart graduated from Northland this spring with a degree in Animal Science. The Workforce Development Scholarship I received, really helped me focus on my classes. I am very thankful for it. Stewart will continue her education this fall at the University of Minnesota Crookston.
This program will provide 668 scholarships across the Minnesota State system for the coming year. Scholarships will expand to total 2,400 the following.
Students interested in applying for a Workforce Development Scholarship for the fall can go to the Northland Community & Technical College Foundation website and fill out an application online at nctcfoundation.com/scholarships/workforce-scholarships.