ST. PAUL — A $2.4 million investment to continue Minnesota’s free nursing assistant training program to strengthen the state’s health care workforce pipeline, was announced last week by Gov. Tim Walz.

The Next Generation Nursing Assistant initiative provides Minnesotans with free training, books, uniforms, and covers the cost of the certification exam. The initiative has so far recruited and trained 1,370 Minnesotans.

“By bolstering our health care workforce and providing pathways to life-long careers, this initiative continues to benefit Minnesotans in the short- and long-term,” Walz said. “I’m proud to invest in a program that strengthens our health care workforce, eliminates barriers to entry into high-demand careers, and supports the health of our state

Walz said the program’s success “is a testament to Minnesota’s ability to collaboratively address complex problems.”

According to employment data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, nursing assistants are the sixth highest demand job in the state. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the need for qualified nursing assistants. This initiative invests in the future health of our state by providing trained workers who will fill vacant positions at hospitals, long-term care facilities, and veterans’ homes throughout Minnesota.

Extending the program will continue to build the state’s long-term care workforce, said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

In December 2021 Walz set a goal for the state to recruit and train 1,000 new nursing assistants. Minnesota surpassed this goal in less than three months, with the initial investment from the federal American Recovery Plan. The $2.4 million investment announced last week comes from the state’s COVID-19 Management Appropriation fund.

“I am incredibly proud of this initiative’s success, and look forward to continuing the work,” Minnesota Office of Higher Education Commissioner Dennis Olson said. “This work not only breaks down financial barriers to postsecondary education, connecting more Minnesotans with the skills they need to start a new career, it bolsters our workforce pipeline and supports the state’s healthcare industry. This initiative is truly a new model for how we can invest in workers and the economy while filling vacancies in high-need career areas.”

The new funding will allow the Next Generation Nursing Assistant initiative to run until February 2023.

Available courses can be found on the OHE website. Those interested in enrolling in the free training are encouraged to check back often as new courses will continue to be added as they are made available.

Courses will be offered throughout the state, in-person and hybrid, on Minnesota State campuses and at many private training providers.