All across Minnesota, work is underway to help raise awareness about all the career opportunities in manufacturing. This work is especially important among high school age students, to help them know about all the opportunities that might be available right in their backyard – with many good-paying jobs available without a college degree.

Between 2022 and 2032, there are projected to be more than 93,000 job openings for manufacturing production positions, due to new jobs being created and a large number of replacement openings – jobs that become available as existing workers retire out of the labor force or change careers.

Manufacturing workers in Minnesota made an average annual wage of just under $83,280, which is $9,000 (12%) higher than the state’s overall average wage in 2024. Many manufacturing jobs can be started with a high school diploma or GED and on-the-job training. That means high school grads can get started on a strong career path without a 4-year degree or ending up with student loan debt. That’s great news for young people!

To help high school students learn about the many employment options in manufacturing, manufacturing employers, school districts and workforce development professionals are teaming up for career exploration events, classes and other exiting opportunities. 

Here’s a look at some of the exciting work in this area being done in Central Minnesota, where Manufacturing offers more employment opportunities than any sector other than Health Care & Social Assistance:

• What Comes Next: Discovering Your Future in Central MN Manufacturing High school graduation is a major milestone—but what comes next? For many students, the time after high school is filled with uncertainty. Should you go to college? Start working? Learn a trade? If you’re asking yourself those questions, you’re not alone. And if you live in Central Minnesota, there’s a promising path ahead: manufacturing. Read more in the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association (CMMA) virtual magazine.
• Changes and Opportunities at Secondary Schools Over the past year, ROCORI Secondary Schools have experienced significant changes, driven by the receipt of a two-year Youth Skills Training grant focused on Advanced Manufacturing. This grant has opened doors for students, allowing them to explore new career pathways while gaining valuable skills. In partnership with Coldspring, ROCORI applied for this grant through the Department of Labor and Industry. Greg Flint, the President of Coldspring, and his team have played a crucial role in supporting these programs, particularly in the manufacturing sector at ROCORI Schools. Their collaboration has created more educational opportunities for students. Read more in the CMMA virtual magazine.
• Empowering Students Though Hands-On Career Experience The Youth Skills Training (YST) program, led by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, is creating life-changing opportunities for high school students to gain hands-on experience in real-world work environments. By connecting classroom learning with paid workplace training, YST helps students build confidence, develop practical skills, and explore career paths in high-demand industries like advanced manufacturing. Read more about how YST is making a difference at Cold Spring in the CMMA virtual magazine.
• K12 Navigator Opening Doors to Manufacturing Careers: CMMA’s K12 Navigator In today’s rapidly evolving workforce, the need to connect education with opportunity has never been greater. That’s why the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association (CMMA) launched the K12 Navigator, a groundbreaking initiative designed to bridge the gap between local schools and the manufacturing sector. Read more in the CMMA virtual magazine. 

No matter where you live in Minnesota, or whether you’re a high schooler or a more seasoned worker, manufacturing could be a great career path for you. If you’re a manufacturing employer or educator, there are also great resources for you. Check out the links below.

• Learn more about the manufacturing industry in Minnesota and access Manufacturing Month resources.
• Employers, talk with your regional DEED Workforce Strategy Consultant about finding the workers to help your business grow and thrive.
• Employers and educators, want to leverage a platform that helps connects high school students and employers across industries throughout the state? Check out FutureForward!
• Interested in working in manufacturing, but not sure where to start? Contact staff at a CareerForce location near you.