Minnesota Manufacturers, Educators and Government Officials Team Up to Spark  Student Interest in  
Manufacturing Careers       

In two regions of the state, manufacturers have teamed up with educational institutions and government officials to promote manufacturing careers to high school students, their teachers and families, and to develop training programs for current and future employees.

In Alexandria, high school and college educators collaborated with local manufacturers on the design and curriculum of the industrial program at the new Alexandra High School, opening in the fall of 2014. The two groups worked together to place the school's industrial lab in a highly visible location, and to develop classes that fit into industrial arts' math and science standards. Teachers also spent time in manufacturing facilities to learn how math and science are applied in industry careers.

Kevin Kopischke, president of Alexandria Technical and Community College, said successes like the high school project help spread the word that what helps Alexandria's manufacturing sector also helps the region's economy.

In the Pine City area, manufacturers and educators created an alliance to develop partnerships and programs that encourage high school students and recent graduates to consider manufacturing careers. The alliance initially focused on demonstrating manufacturing careers at events for high school students and those who were unemployed or underemployed. In 2009, the alliance was awarded a $1.9 million U.S. Department of Labor grant  to fund a mobile technology lab that will travel to local high schools, and a video conferencing system that allows employees from various companies to participate in live training classes conducted at alliance companies.

The alliance's effectiveness is evident on several levels. Since its establishment in 2004, enrollment in Pine City's Technical College's manufacturing programs has grown from 12 to 50 students. Job placement among graduates is at 100 percent.

Local economic development officials have also taken notice. Robert Musgrove, president of Pine City Technical College and coordinator of the manufacturing alliance, said when a manufacturing company is looking to the region to locate, relocate or expand its facilities, economic development officials now invite the alliance to provide input and advice.

The alliance was also among the recipients of a $13.1 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to fund programs to connect dislocated workers, veterans and incumbent workers in need of advanced manufacturing training. The training will help create a larger, more qualified talent pool of manufacturing workers in Minnesota.

Both regions' collaborative efforts received national recognition when Enterprise Minnesota President and CEO Bob Kill testified on the demand for qualified manufacturing workers at the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation and Export Promotion, chaired by Senator Amy Klobuchar.

For more on this story, look for "Greater than the Sum of the Parts" in Enterprise Minnesota magazine's online edition on Nov. 19 at www.enterpriseminnesota.org.

   Successes in business Innovation - Manufacturers Show The Way

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
8-11 am
US Bank
1 Meridian Crossings
Arrowhead Conference Room
Richfield, MN

Cost: Early Bird By Oct. 30 $79; Regular $119

Register Online

What to Expect: 

Come learn how successful manufacturers are growing their businesses through strategic innovative investments in processes, new products, marketing, exporting strategies and more.

Speakers:

•    Tim Keran, Owner &  President
     Western Graphics
     St. Paul
 
•    Kent Mogler, COO & Vice President
     WW Johnson Meat
     Minneapolis

Register Online Today!

Have news or events for e-trends?  Contact Sue Roe at sue.roe@enterpriseminnesota.org