Attracting the Next Generation of Manufacturers   

Minnesota businesses are partnering with schools and communities to update the image of manufacturing in the minds of students, parents and teachers.

Enterprise Minnesota magazine's September issue features a story detailing how some manufacturers and other community businesses are promoting manufacturing careers. In West Central Minnesota, several companies are participating in activities sponsored by Dream It. Do It. (DIDI), a national recruitment strategy developed by the National Association of Manufacturers. DIDI's mission is to educate students, parents and teachers about the high-tech, high-paying manufacturing career opportunities available in the region. As part of the strategy, participating manufacturers are featured on billboards, which highlight young people who have chosen manufacturing as their career.

Manufacturers have also helped DIDI create videos about career opportunities available in their companies. Targeted to high school and middle school students, the videos show real-world applications of math and science and connect classroom learning to viable careers. They will be posted on YouTube and the DIDI website.

Debby Hoel, Pequot Tool and Manufacturing human resources manager, says the participating DIDI manufacturers recognized that teaming up would be more effective than working individually. In addition to their work with DIDI, the manufacturers have formed an alliance through the Brainerd Chamber of Commerce to promote manufacturing careers to students.

Support for students interested in manufacturing careers is also increasing. North Anoka Plumbing offers $500 Trade Scholarships to two St. Francis High School students each year to pursue skilled trade careers. Owners Bill and Karen Jansen hope the scholarship will encourage more high school graduates to attend technical school for post-secondary training.

Although redefining manufacturing's reputation will take time, the public awareness that manufacturers are creating has already brought benefits. Applications for the high school apprenticeship program at Pequot Tool are up and more than 50 percent of the apprentices now return to Pequot for a full-time position upon graduation from high school or technical college. North Anoka Plumbing's Trade Scholarship program has attracted more summer apprentices to its company too, and one scholarship recipient, a 2012 St. Francis High School graduate, will attend Alexandria Technical College this fall with a full-time machinist position waiting for him upon graduation.

Look for Manufacturing Talent on page 12 of Enterprise Minnesota magazine online on Sept. 24 at www.enterpriseminnesota.org.

The Value of Your Business - What Expert Buyers Are Looking For  

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2012
8-11 am
McGladrey
801 Nicollet Mall, Suite 1100 West Tower
Minneapolis
Cost: $79

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What to Expect: 

How can manufacturers achieve strategic value in the eyes of an investor? Investors will ask... Is your company known and competing in a market niche that can be successful? Do you deliver products/services most efficiently? Do you differentiate products and services within markets with the greatest potential? The key lies in how well your company understands the role of values in the journey to create business value. Come hear what these companies are doing to identify and develop identifiable worth inside their company.

Moderator: John Connelly, Director of Consulting Services, Enterprise Minnesota

Speakers:

•    Art Monaghan, Partner
     Granite Equity Partners, St. Cloud
              
•    Rick Paulsen, President & COO
     Douglas Machine, Alexandria
        
•    Dale Nordquist, President & CEO
     GEOTEK, Stewartville 

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