Sign-Zone, a designer and manufacturer of critical components for critical applications, and Anoka-Ramsey Community College announced a Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) grant of $225,175 for two years, Nov. 1, 2008 to Oct. 31, 2010.

The grant will allow Anoka-Ramsey Community College to provide workforce training to Sign-Zone, Inc. Specific goals for the grant include:

• management systems training so Sign-Zone employees can better utilize the company's Enterprise Resource Planning computer system and improve project and program management
• marketing, sales and service training to help Sign-Zone employees create a best practice web-based training system and standardize methods of product education
• technical training from Bemidji State University's Design Technology program in new product features, graphics, 3D computer imaging and exhibit design processes

Anoka-Ramsey Community College partnered with Bemidji State University because they are the sole provider of an Exhibit Design program in the U.S., so they can bring their special expertise to help Sign-Zone employees and maximize their skills in this area.

 “The overall goal of the MJSP program is to provide education and training resources to the state and provide Minnesota employers with a well-trained and skilled work force,” says Anoka-Ramsey Continuing Education and Customized Training Director and the grant’s manager, Stephen Jones. “This grant will help upgrade the skill and knowledge levels of Sign-Zone employees to help keep the company in Minnesota.”

About Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) Program
This grant marks the college’s 36th MJSP grant. Collectively, the college has now secured more than $8.9 million in MJSP funding to provide training to area businesses that need to reposition for the ever-changing marketplace.

The Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) program is designed to strategically help Minnesota businesses and schools competitively train the workforce. Grants are awarded by the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board to educational institutions, such as Anoka-Ramsey Community College, that partner with businesses to develop new-job training or retraining for existing employees.

All MJSP-funded training projects pair at least one public/private accredited Minnesota educational institution and one business. Funds are dedicated for training-related costs or educational infrastructure improvements necessary to support businesses located or intending to locate in Minnesota. A cash or in-kind contribution from the contributing business must match program funds on at least a one-to-one ratio.

About Sign-Zone, Inc.
 Sign-Zone, Inc., located in Blaine, Minn., designs and manufactures trade show displays, real estate signage and other visual communication products.  It customizes these products by printing texts, slogans and logos on the products using proprietary techniques.  It also sells a wide variety of hardware for displaying products in innovative ways.