October marks Manufacturing Month in Minnesota, and Independent School District 728 Elk River, Otsego, Rogers and Zimmerman Schools (ISD 728) is once again partnering with local chambers and cities to shine a spotlight on the exciting, high-demand careers available right in our own backyard. The Cool Jobs Tour, a hands-on event designed to connect students, parents, and the community with local manufacturers, continues to grow in both reach and impact.
The initiative began in 2018, when ISD 728 and the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce joined forces to host the first Cool Jobs Tour. The goal was simple: introduce middle and high school students to the innovative, technology-driven world of modern manufacturing. After a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program returned stronger than ever. In 2023, the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rogers invited ISD 728 to expand the tour, launching a second annual event in Rogers. Now, both cities collaborate with the district each October to highlight local manufacturers, from precision machining and robotics to packaging and engineering.
The Cool Jobs Tour isn’t a typical career fair—it’s an interactive experience. Students and parents visit multiple manufacturing facilities, meet professionals in the field, and see cutting-edge equipment in action. The event underscores the message that manufacturing today is high-tech, high-skill, and high-paying. The Rogers Cool Jobs Tour took place on Tuesday, October 7. The Elk River Cool Jobs Tour is coming up on Thursday, October 23. View details below.
Local employers value the opportunity to showcase their work and connect with future talent, while students gain a firsthand look at career pathways that can begin during high school with the CTE Internship program and continue after high school or through technical training programs. At the event there is a panel with ISD 728 CTE Staff, DEED Workforce Strategy Consultants, Technical College Reps, High School Interns, MPMA staff and others who share success stories and resources to get started in manufacturing careers. Through partnerships with education, business, and community organizations, the Cool Jobs Tour celebrates the strength of local industry and inspires the next generation to discover the “cool” side of manufacturing.
- The Cool Jobs Tour is free and open to community members, especially middle and high school students and their parents/guardians.
- The Elk River Cool Jobs Tour takes place on Thursday, October 23, 2025, 4 - 7:30 p.m. at several manufacturing locations. View details and register here.
