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Drive for Five Grant Courses

 

Drive for Five Grant Courses

The Drive for Five Workforce Initiative is a major new effort to prepare more Minnesotans for high-demand jobs in five occupational categories: technology, labor, caring professions, manufacturing, and education. Drive for Five prioritizes training for populations that face the largest disparities in employment: people of color, people with disabilities, people who lack stable housing, and other people who face barriers to family-sustaining employment.

If you are interested in participating in one or more of our free training options, please fill out the below information. One of the customized training representatives will review the information and reach out to you to determine enrollment eligibility.

Eligibility Form

Drive for Five Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be 18 years old and not enrolled in any K-12 school
  • Authorized to work in the United States & must be a MN resident
  • Part of one or more of the following target populations:
    • Individuals of color
    • Individuals lacking stable housing
    • Individuals with a criminal record (cannot be a felony)
    • Individuals without a high school diploma or equivalent (must be in a program to obtain GED or diploma)
    • Individuals with disabilities (including mental health disabilities)
    • Individuals unemployed for 26 or more of the past 52 weeks
    • Individuals with limited English proficiency
    • Individuals at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline


Free - Minnesota State Medication Aide

Students will develop an understanding of drug administration with this comprehensive training program. The Minnesota State curriculum offers consistency and customized training options to meet any needs. A wide variety of exercises and activities let students apply their knowledge to healthcare settings. The class includes a new textbook specifically designed for the medication aide. The training and supplemental resources will also prepare participants for written and skills exams by building knowledge and developing skills competency.

To successfully complete the course, students must:
• achieve a cumulative score of 75% or higher on chapter quizzes and final knowledge exam;
• demonstrate competency of skills by passing the final skills exam; and
• meet the class attendance requirements with a minimum of 48 hours.

 



Prerequisites

Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home.

To work as a Medication Aide in a skilled nursing facility, students must have completed a nursing assistant training program approved by the Minnesota Department of Health before enrollment in a trained medication aide program. These employees are not required to take the nursing assistant exam, nor to have ever been on the nursing assistant registry. A person who challenges the Minnesota nursing assistant exam or transfers in from another state, for example, would not be eligible.

It is the responsibility of the facility to document completion of an approved nursing assistant training program. Students will apply classroom learning in the laboratory setting promoting safe medication administration.

Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. If you question your eligibility, please visit this website for more information:

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/4658.1360/.

It is recommended that a person works as a certified nursing assistant for six months before taking this course and be at least 18 years of age.

Schedule

Course Schedule: In-person, every Saturday (except 5/23/26), 9am – 2pm. This course is hybrid. There will be additional online coursework days required.

Orientation: Tuesday 5/12/26 4pm-6pm

Location: Customized Training Solutions Building 585 Hillside Ave, Pine City, MN.

Course Schedule:

Location: PTCC Main Campus Building, Room 160 (Lab)

Saturday 5/16/26 9am – 2pm

Saturday 5/30/26 9am – 2pm

Saturday 6/6/26 9am – 2pm

Saturday 6/13/26 9am – 2pm

Saturday 6/20/26 9am – 2pm

Saturday 6/27/26 9am – 2pm

 

Eligibility & Registration

Seating is on a first come first serve basis. A waitlist will be available once all seats are taken.

To determine eligibility requirements,  potential students must complete a microsoft eligibility form to be considered for this class.

Once it is determined that you are eligible to register for the course, a Representative will reach out to you to complete the paperwork for the grant and to complete your registration.

Eligibility

 

Free - Phlebotomy

This hour-based course is designed to provide the student with instruction and practice in phlebotomy techniques so that the student can successfully perform them upon course completion.
Topics covered:

  • The role of the phlebotomy technician, including scope of practice, interpersonal skills, and ethics.
  • Foundational care skills such as ensuring accurate patient/specimen identification and following infection prevention practices.
  • Anatomy and physiology, including common tests related to each body system.
  • Fundamentals of the circulatory system, blood composition, and hemostasis.
  • Evacuated tube systems, syringe transfer devices, and capillary collection systems, including guides to tube additives, and order of draw.
  • Adaptations to blood collection procedures that may be required for specific patient populations or due to various patient conditions.
  • Steps required to protect specimen quality and integrity.
  • Communication with other healthcare team members and with a variety of patient populations (e.g., pediatric, geriatric, non-native speakers of English).


Prerequisites
  1. 18 years of age or older
  2. Proof of Immunizations – Documentation from a medical professional for the following immunizations must be presented at the time of registration:
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
    Hepatitis B (3-Part Series: First shot must be done before registration and the final shot must be completed by the time the clinical portion begins
  • Varicella/Chicken Pox
  • Tdap (Tetanus-Diptheria-Pertussis)
  • Seasonal Influenza (Current Season)
  • TB/Mantoux (Must be current and completed within 90 days prior to registration. Please note that TB testing cannot be completed in one visit to your clinic. The process may take multiple visits and up to one week to complete. Please allow sufficient time to complete the test).
  • Covid-19 (minimum 2 shots

If you do not have records for any of the above immunizations and think you may have immunity already, you will need to contact your medical provider and ask for “immunity status testing” or a “titer test” to obtain proof of your immunity.

Please note that titer testing cannot be completed in one visit to your clinic. The process may take multiple visits and up to one week to complete. Please allow sufficient time to complete the test.

State of MN DHS Background Check: Please bring a copy of your Driver License or State ID to the Orientation session, as it is required for background check processing.

A high school diploma/GED is required in order to secure employment.

In-person Class Schedule

Orientation February 9, 2026 4pm-6pm

Location: Customized Training Solutions Building 585 Hillside Ave SE Pine City, MN 55063.

Bring to Orientation:
High School Transcript or proof of GED
State issued ID and Social Security card for processing background checks.

In person class schedule:

Pine Technical & Community College, Main Building, 900 Fourth Street SE, Pine City, MN 55063,  Room 160.

Sunday February 15, 2026 8AM-3:30PM

Saturday February 28, 2026 8AM – 3:30PM

Sunday March 1, 2026 8AM-3:30PM

Saturday March 14, 2026 8AM-3:30PM

Sunday March 15, 2026 8AM-3:30PM

Saturday March 28, 2026 8AM – 3:30PM

Sunday March 29, 2026 8AM – 3:30PM

Students are required to attend 100 hours of clinical (internship) and perform 100 unassisted venipunctures. Clinical location, times, and hours will be dependent on hospital availability. Students should expect to spend 2-3 full-time (40hour) work weeks to complete their clinical internship. Exact times and dates will vary depending on hospital scheduling, but students should expect to be scheduled for day shifts between 6AM-5PM during their clinical weeks.

 

ASCP Phlebotomy Exam

Students must complete the 150 Hour Phlebotomy training prior to taking the ASCP certified exam. The exam cost will be covered under the Drive for Five grant.

Students must meet with Sarah Steinert to set up their account for the exam.

Schedule your appointment with Sarah at 320-629-4568 or sarah.steinert@pine.edu.

 

Eligibility & Course Registration

Seating is on a first come first serve basis. A waitlist will be available once all seats are taken.

To determine eligibility requirements,  potential students must complete a microsoft eligibility form to be considered for this class.

Once it is determined that you are eligible to register for the course, a Representative will reach out to you to complete the paperwork for the grant and to complete your registration.

Eligibility Survey

 

FREE - Certified Nursing Assistant Course

Working as a nursing assistant is an excellent stand-alone career or an excellent way to launch a nursing career. This program will prepare students with the knowledge and clinical skills to work in a variety of settings including nursing homes, hospitals, adult day care centers, personal homes and assisted living facilities. Credit is earned toward PTCC’s Nursing/Healthcare programs.



Date/Time/Location

This class is a hybrid class with both in person classes and online participation required. Students will be required to complete 32 hours of online coursework.

Orientation Friday 7/10/26 4pm-6pm

Location: Pine Technical & Community College, Customized Training Solutions Building. 585 Hillside Ave, Pine City, MN 55063.

On campus Schedule:

Location: Pine Technical & Community College 900 Fourth Street, Pine City, MN 55063.Main Building, Lab 150

Fridays 4pm -7pm & Saturdays 9am-2pm

Week 1: Friday 7/17/26 4pm -7pm & Saturday 7/18/26 9am – 2pm

Week 2: Friday 7/24/26 4pm -7pm

Week 3: Friday 7/31/26 4pm -7pm & Saturday 8/1/26 9am – 2pm

Week 4: Friday 8/7/26 4pm -7pm

Week 5: Friday 8/14/26 4pm – 7pm & Saturday 8/15/26 9am – 2pm

Week 6: Friday 8/21/26 4pm – 7pm

Clinical: Dates & Times are subject to change

Friday 8/28/26 4pm – 7pm

Saturday 8/29/26  6am – 2:30pm

Sunday 8/30/26 6am – 2:30pm

Location: TBD

Additional online coursework will be required.

Registration

Seating is on a first come first serve basis. A waitlist will be available once all seats are taken.

To determine eligibility requirements,  potential students must complete a microsoft form to be considered for this class.

Once it is determined that you are eligible to register for the course, you will be sent step by step instructions on how to apply to the college from Di Abrahamsen at Pine Technical & Community College. Your application will be reviewed and you will be notified once registration is complete.

Eligibility Survey

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