Public-private training programs address needed skills training for a new generation of workers
(ST. PAUL, MN) – Senator Paul Anderson (R-Plymouth) led the Workforce Development and Jobs tour; the first part held on October 30 & 31 and the second part held on November 7 & 8. Anderson visited businesses and colleges in Pine City, Red Wing, White Bear Lake, Winona, and Stacy (October 30 & 31) and in the Iron Range area, Brainerd, Pequot Lakes, Grand Rapids, Cohasset, Hibbing, and Virginia (November 7 & 8), to learn more about how higher education and businesses can work together to prepare and train the next generation of workers. Representatives from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Manufacturing Association, and the Minnesota Business Partnership also joined the tour to highlight the work they are doing to address a looming workforce shortage.
“This tour is one way we can understand and address the needs of business and educational institutions at the Senate,” said Anderson. “We’ve heard from businesses and schools alike that a post-secondary education should prepare students for a successful career, but also fill much-needed jobs that require specific skills and training. We’re here to learn what the Higher Education Committee can do to help keep Minnesota’s economy strong and stable. The public-private training programs are bringing resources together to support students.”
“Employers are leading efforts in communities throughout Minnesota to launch the next generation on career pathways in high-demand industries,” said Amy Walstien, Education Policy and Workforce Development Director for the Minnesota Business Partnership. “By partnering with local high schools, post-secondary institutions, and community-based groups to build relevant experiential training programs, Minnesota businesses are a key part of efforts to prepare students for successful future careers.”
In addition to public-private partnerships, the committee received positive feedback on several grants and scholarships from the last legislative session. “Workforce scholarships for us was a real game-changer. It moves the dial,” said Pine Technical Community College President Joe Mulford. Workforce scholarships provide financial support to students enrolled in a high-demand career program at a state or community college. With growing demand for technical jobs and skilled working, the scholarships are one way the legislature and education institutions partner to address the needs of the state’s economy.
“The PIPELINE program is a key part of connecting high school students with high demand jobs in our area,” said Chad Shogren, President of Pequot Tool & Manufacturing. “We at Pequot Tool & Manufacturing want to train and keep a skilled workforce in Minnesota and the PIPELINE project along with our registered apprenticeships program does just that.” PIPELINE grants recognize the need for structured on-the-job training paired with educational instruction to help students succeed in their chosen career path. There are four designated career paths for the PIPELINE grants: Advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services, and information technology.
“It’s important to recognize and encourage talented individuals, including those with disabilities,” said Peter McDermott, President and CEO of Minnesota Diversified Industries. “We want to connect workers with the skills and tools they need to succeed and be productive where they’re at – in the workforce and in the community. Finding these “Hidden Talent Pools” are key to building a successful workforce. When our workers succeed, we all succeed.”
Read about the tour stops below:
Brainerd High School:
The Brainerd Chamber of Commerce has been a long-time leader in public-private partnerships, having launched the Bridges Career Academies & Workplace Connection program over 12 years ago. The region is known for its vigorous hospitality and resort industry, as well as being a leader in manufacturing. The Brainerd Lakes site visit focused on the Brainerd Chamber’s Business Education Network ProStart program which trains high school students for careers in hospitality.
Matt Kilian, President of Brainerd Lakes Chamber: “Grassroots is the name of the game. The public private partnership. These things come together because there’s a willingness and a lack of bureaucracy that we have to deal with. When you can remove a lot of barriers, like bureaucracy, and you have trust between all the players, our businesses, schools, and the parents and students, there’s a lot you can get done.”
Hara Charlier, President, Central Lakes College: “These are fabulous careers and there are opportunities for growth. I can’t tell you enough how important it is to have these programs [like ProStart] and how effective it is to have us all come together to develop a skilled workforce.”
Pequot Tool & Manufacturing
The Pequot Tool & Manufacturing and the Lakes Area Manufacturing Alliance conducted a roundtable to discuss local manufacturers’ successful registered apprenticeship and on-the-job PIPELINE training programs. Local participants included Clow Stamping, the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Central Lakes College, Precision Tool Technology, Lonesome Cottage Furniture, Frandsen Bank, and the Lindar Corporation.
“This work is hard and it takes a lot of persistence. Every day is a new challenge – connecting the classroom with the workforce demand in the area,” said Chad Shogren, President of Pequot Tool & Manufacturing. “The PIPELINE Program and Registered Apprenticeship program are key to this connection and it is imperative that we continue to find new and innovative ways to train and retain a skilled workforce in Minnesota.”
“I’m a real fan of the PIPELINE program because it’s benefitted me, 16-20 other guys here, the company, and the area.” -Nick Christensen, CNC machinist for Pequot Tool & Manufacturing.
Itasca Community College:
“Our engineering program is partnering with companies in our area so that students can gain experience working on real world projects,” said Dr. Bart Johnson, Provost for Itasca Community College. “These projects contribute to the economic prosperity of the community. These students are gaining the technical skills necessary for these high-demand STEM jobs, but they are also getting more than that by developing business and professional skills that will go a long way in helping them transition into the Minnesota workforce.”
Minnesota Diversified Industries, Minneapolis:
Minnesota Diversified Industries hosted a tour of their facility and a roundtable discussion focused on the important of utilizing “Hidden Talent Pools.”
“It’s important to recognize and encourage talented individuals, including those with disabilities,” said Peter McDermott, president and CEO of Minnesota Diversified Industries. “We want to connect workers with the skills and tools they need to succeed and be productive where they’re at – in the workforce and in the community. Finding these hidden talent pools is a key to building a successful workforce. When they succeed, we all succeed.”
Mesabi Range Community College and Virginia-Eveleth-Gilbert High School:
The tour participants heard from leaders at Mesabi Range Community College and the Virginia-Eveleth-Gilbert High School regarding several workforce programs, including Iron Range Engineering (IRE), Applied Learning Institute (ALI), and Advanced MN. We then met with officials from Virginia-Eveleth-Gilbert High School to discuss the new Career Academy High School.
“Students are starting the process of being “career ready” earlier and earlier so that by the time they reach the end of high school they have a sound idea of which career or educational experience they would like try first,” said Roy Smith, Director of Talent Development for the Department of Iron Range Resources and the Colleges of the Northeast Higher Education District. “This new, public-private partnership equips students with career skills while they are still in high school. To see what works, what doesn’t, and what they can do as they leave high school confident in their abilities. For many students this means matriculating to some form of post-secondary technical training. Others may choose to enter a union apprenticeship program, join the military or enter directly into the workforce. Whichever path they choose our end goal is for them to find their passion and become productive members of our Minnesota workforce.”