WASHINGTON — Minnesota’s congressional delegation announced $6 million in federal funds Tuesday for workforce training and development programs.

Recent studies show the state is facing an impending shortage of workers as the Baby Boomer generation begins to retire over the next 20 years, shrinking the state’s working-age population by 5 percent, according to the Center for Rural Policy Development (CPRD).

U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Eighth District U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan pushed the U.S. Department of Labor for the Workforce Innovation Fund (WIF) grant to the state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development, in an effort to fill skilled jobs for employers and industries.

“With businesses across Minnesota needing workers, and workers needing jobs, we need to focus on closing the skills gap and making our workforce more competitive in the global economy,” Klobuchar said. “This important investment will strengthen our economy by helping workers in Minnesota get the training they need to find a good-paying job in one of our state’s competitive industries.”

Local officials said higher-paying jobs in mining and other industries are easier to fill, but jobs in health care and other “hiring mode” industries need assistance in finding trained workers. The Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board works with the state to provide such training and preparation, noted IRRRB Commissioner Mark Phillps in August.

The CRPD study, released in August, said the declining workforce will bring fewer employees to support the tax base, higher wages and decreased productivity.

“All across the country, there are millions of open jobs that could be filled today if there were workers who had the right skills,” Franken said. “This critical support will help DEED connect Minnesotans with the training they need and will help businesses get workers with the right training. Filling these open positions will benefit workers, businesses, and help grow Minnesota’s economy.”

Minnesota’s WIF grant is the first round of funding given out since the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 was passed. All WIF grants require the receiver to undergo independent evaluations and assessments.