Workforce Development, Inc. awards scholarships to 25

Southeast Minnesota’s Workforce Development, Inc. has chosen recipients for up to $125,000 in scholarship funding for the 2009/2010 academic year. Each scholarship could contribute up to $5,000 toward tuition costs, an amount that increased $1,000 from the previous year. The recipients were selected by the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and made possible by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

The scholarships were awarded to 25 individuals in various fields of study. Youth scholarships were awarded to 14 students; six are pursuing the healthcare field, two are pursuing hi-tech/bio-science careers and six are pursuing services and trades careers. Adult scholarships were awarded to 11 students; seven in the healthcare field and three in service and trades.

The scholarship recipients were chosen on April 10 from throughout the ten counties of southeast Minnesota served by Workforce Development, Incorporated. Recipients of the youth scholarship awards were between the ages of 18 and 21 and expressed an interest in manufacturing, healthcare, technology, bioscience or services and trades. Their scholarship awards must be used on education or training that leads to a recognized certificate or degree and be completed within two years of beginning the program. Adult scholarship recipients must adhere to the same standards and be over the age of 21.

“Many of our scholarship recipients have been first generation college students, or due to circumstances, would have a hard time attending without this assistance. It’s a great feeling to see their faces when they realize they’ve been chosen for one of these targeted scholarships. It opens up their whole future.” said Randy Johnson, executive director of Workforce Development, Inc.

Workforce Development, Inc.

Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI) is an independent, non-profit agency with a long history of serving the needs of job seekers and employers in southeast Minnesota. WDI is dedicated to developing and advancing the workforce to meet the current and future needs of the ten counties the agency serves in southeast Minnesota.

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