Following is an article from the Minnesota Sun Newspapers. It is an example of the
new system of "partnerships" between government, business and schools. The
new
melding of government/business/schools into partnerships is rapidly dismantling the
essential separation and independence of business from government, business from
schools and schools from government.
The loss of such separation produces a forced marriage of free enterprise and socialism,
also called "Third Way Economics."
The Third Way "managed economy" allows the government to give market advantage
to
some companies by funneling hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to companies
that partner with them for employee training. In other words, the government pays
businesses to participate.
By Meghan Bethke
Staff Intern
(Created 2/28/01 5:16:53 PM)
A $385,508 grant was awarded to North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) from the
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) to provide technology training to employees at
Select Comfort Corp. in Plymouth. Select Comfort is the nation’s fifth largest
bedding
manufacturer, and its Plymouth headquarters is located at 6105 Trenton Lane N.,
according to a press release.
A total of 384 Select Comfort employees will have the opportunity to train in
Internet-based
applications, communications and e-commerce, said Robin Manthei, North Hennepin’s
grant manager for the Center of Trade and Economic Development.
Manthei said this grant promotes Minnesota’s economic development and will attract
employees to Minnesota based companies. According to the press release, certificates
will be awarded in seven areas, including fundamentals of Web development, advanced
Web development, Web infrastructure, advanced Web topics, Internet design, communications
and Web management.
Susan Fitzpatrick, director of training and organizational development for Select Comfort,
said
the main motivation for the partnership was the need for more Web-based technology and the
integration of the Web throughout Select Comfort’s business.
“It’s a good partnership all around,” she said. “I’m very excited
about it.” The partnership will
allow NHCC to use the program being developed for Select Comfort to teach other adults
seeking careers in Web-based technology, Fitzpatrick said.
“The taxpayers are getting their money’s worth,” she said. “And we’re
very grateful for NHCC
and the state for partnering with us. It’s very beneficial to all of us.”
Employees of Select Comfort come from cities all over the metro area, including Eden
Prairie,
Anoka, Brooklyn Park, Minnetonka, Plymouth and Golden Valley, she said.
Manthei said 40 other companies in Minnesota have received grants from the MJSP to enact
similar programs.