The Riverland Community College Foundation, area legislators, Chambers of Commerce, along with regional sponsors, has introduced a first-ever scholarship program that provides up to 18  $5,000 scholarships to students enrolled in high-skill, high-demand career programs at Riverland.

The growing demand for skilled and qualified workers across Minnesota prompted the Minnesota State system to launch a pilot Workforce Development Scholarship project that provides special legislative funds to be used for a match. Targeted areas include manufacturing, healthcare, information technology and agriculture, said Steve Bowron, dean of institutional development at Riverland.

“Our goal is to take each $2,500 scholarship provided by the legislature and find a business or industry partner to match that amount,” he added. “The response of our communities has been inspiring.”

To date, sponsors have been found for 12 scholarships from eight donors. This spring, the college intends to provide $5,000 scholarships to six graduating high school seniors from Mower County; six from Freeborn County, and six from Steele County, for a total of 18 scholarships totaling $90,000.

Sponsors so far are Mayo Clinic Health System (two scholarships for Albert Lea; two for Austin), Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services (one scholarship for each Austin and Albert Lea), Minnesota Freezer Warehouse (Albert Lea), Zumbro River Brand (one for Albert Lea or Owatonna), Federated Insurance (Owatonna), Koda Living Community (Owatonna), Metal Services (Owatonna) and Allina Health/Owatonna Hospital (Owatonna). All provide $2,500 for each scholarship.

The critical areas include nurses, radiography technicians, computer technicians, industrial maintenance mechanics, electricians, welders, and workers in agriculture and ag business, according to the college.

On Friday, a formal unveiling of the program was held at the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Riverland President Adenuga Atewologun said the college was thankful for the partnership that would allow more help for its students who, in turn, help keep their communities vital.

“We are happy to help fulfill that link,” he said.

State Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, said the partnership showed “that when the legislature invests in human capital, we can make a difference.”

The Mayo Clinic Health System is well aware of those workforce challenges, said Tricia Dahl, operations administrator.

“Developing the workforce of the future is very important to us.” As an example of the critical shortage areas, she said that in the case of hiring an LPN, it takes an average of 48 days before a potential employee can even be identified.

Bowron said the college was working with Chambers of Commerce in all three communities, and want to get the word out to students so they can apply and receive monies quickly.

The Riverland Foundation adds these 18 scholarships to its list of more than 160 sponsored scholarships available through the foundation. In 2017, the foundation provided 526 scholarship awards totaliung $491,944. Those who wish to apply for one these scholarships, visit www.riverland.edu/foundation.

Austin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandy Forstner said the project “is a good example of how business, legislature and education can work together to address a growing and well-known problem.”

On hand in addition to Bowron, were State Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin; Dr. Mark Ciota, CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin and Albert Lea; Jim Krueger, president of the Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services; Mary Nelson, director of cooperative services for the cooperative; Taylor Daubenberger, Riverland admissions representative; and Alice Holst, of the Riverland Community College Foundation Board of Directors.