MARSHALL — A Marshall-based business that operates manufacturing and distribution centers for Schwan’s Company was one of more than 40 Minnesota businesses awarded state grants for job training. A Dual-Training Pipeline Grant from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry will help three maintenance technicians at Schwan’s food production facilities in Marshall gain highly skilled training, said Chuck Blomberg, communications manager for Schwan’s Shared Services.

Last week, Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, announced that SFC Global Supply Chain, of Marshall, received an $18,000 Dual Training Grant to provide training programs for its employees. SFC Global Supply Chain is a subsidiary of Schwan’s Company that focuses on manufacturing and logistics, Blomberg said.

“Programs such as this are important to help our workers meet workforce demands as they evolve,” Swedzinski said. “It is good to see a local operation land this grant and provide opportunities for workers in the area to grow in their field of expertise and enhance their careers.

More than 40 Minnesota businesses in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services and information technology industries were awarded Dual-Training grants earlier this summer, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry announced. A total of over $2.7 million in grants was awarded to fund employment-based training for 589 current and new employees, the DLI said. More than $2 million of the grants were awarded to companies in greater Minnesota.

“The Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline pairs on-the-job training and classroom learning to provide skills for workers while helping employers meet their workforce needs,” DLI Commissioner Nancy Leppink said in a statement. “Apprenticeships and dual training are important training models that help Minnesota employers recruit and retain employees. We are excited to continue our support of these programs with this new round of grants.”

The grant for SFC Global Supply Chain will help three maintenance technicians get skilled mechatronics training, Blomberg said. Mechatronics is a field that combines several different types of engineering, including mechanical and electrical engineering.