The state has awarded a $178,406 Job Skills Partnership grant that will help train 279 workers at the CentraCare Health System in Long Prairie, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced Tuesday.

Nurses, emergency and medical technicians and transcribers will learn techniques to improve safety and patient care using a program developed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and offered by Central Lakes College.

CentraCare Health System operates a hospital, clinic and long-term care facility that serve Todd County area residents.

DEED Commissioner Mark Phillips said the training will help CentraCare and allow Central Lakes College to expand its curriculum in the area of innovative patient care.

The training grant is one of dozens the state's Job Skills Program offers to businesses, communities, educational institutions and workers affected by the economy or changing industries.