Customized Training & Continuing Education
Customized Training is education for incumbent workers - those already employed - who require tailored training to meet the specific needs of business, its employers or the industry as a whole.
Often, the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system works closely with business and industry to develop and deliver skill-based instruction identified as essential by employers and executives. Whether a business requires assistance with on-the-site job training, or simply classroom instruction to stay competitive, MnSCU delivers. Through the delivery service of custom-made instruction, the MnSCU system trains over 140,000 employees a year, serving more than 6,000 Minnesota businesses and employers annually.
The central office for Customized Training works to enhance the connection between between business and education. We serve as the link between colleges or universities and businesses --to advance and better the connection of individuals and employers -- their talents, skills and technologies. Opening the doors of higher learning and improving interaction with industry services requires effective collaboration among partners. By strengthening our rapid response and improving capacity within the system to support and meet the needs of business more effectively and more extensively, a number of advantages to owners and their employees have evolved. Supportive connections and linkages may include
Benefits to Business include:
- Better recruiting strategies
- Increased organization development
- Skill assessments for employees
- Employee training and education
- Grant development
- Performance evaluation strategies
- Partnership development
- Improved communication strategies
- Media production services
Capacity improvements to Colleges & Universities include:
- Technical expertise
- Current industry perspectives
- Occupational content
- Curriculum validation
- Industry-level partnerships
- Leveraged financial resources
- e-Learning expertise
The Continuing Education (CE) component of the system’s efforts to serve training and development needs of the workforce, makes training possible through non-credit instruction.
Through non-credit instruction, colleges and universities can provide coursework at a graduate level that leads to skill advancement and increased employability. The majority of people seeking opportunities to improve their work life however, tend to enroll in non-credit instruction.
Individuals who enroll in this type of training are generally seeking skill-upgrades to retain an existing job, improve upon their skills to support a new job or advance in their current position. Non-credit education is also sought by individuals seeking a wage increase.
Continuing education opportunities within the MnSCU system span the entire spectrum of workforce development. Many courses are designed to be completed in sequence. Some classes result in professional certificates of completion or occupational credentials.
Several industry and occupational organizations recognize the inherent value of continuing education and course completion in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEU's). Thousands of professionals enroll in non-credit instruction each year to satisfy mandatory credentialing or licensure requirements.
In addition to this type of work-related instruction, a number of institutions also provide a variety of personal enrichment courses that prepare individuals to better enjoy the fine arts, increase their language or cultural skills, improve one's health or to gain proficiency with computers.
To learn more, call: 1/800-366-7380 or 
Download the Customized Training Brochure [PDF 100K]
| Strategic Planning | Operational Strategies | Regional Coordination |
