Youth Skills Training Builds Future Manufacturing Workforce
28 Mar 2019
Growth in U.S. manufacturing has been great for the economy. But an aging workforce has been causing companies concern. In a recent survey of manufacturers, more than
Youth Skills Training Builds Future Manufacturing Workforce
28 Mar 2019
Growth in U.S. manufacturing has been great for the economy. But an aging workforce has been causing companies concern. In a recent survey of manufacturers, more than 70 percent reported being worried about their ability to attract and retain skilled workers.
States like Minnesota are working to address this shortage of skilled employees before it becomes a full-blown crisis. The state had bipartisan support for the Youth Skills Training Program to create and provide employment training for students age 16 and older in high-growth, high-demand occupations.
Independent School District 728 has been working with area businesses to prioritize workforce development in Elk River, Otsego, Rogers and Zimmerman. It was one of five districts to receive a Youth Skills Training grant through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to develop and implement paid on-the-job experiences for students.
Since the Youth Skills Training Program can be tailored to the needs of a specific region, the grant will be used to enhance manufacturing sector apprenticeship and internship opportunities in the area.
“Skilled workers in manufacturing is the greatest need in the community,” explains Elk River Area School District Career Technical Education Coordinator Amy Lord, who notes that building trades workers are also needed in the area. “A future goal will be to move construction in the same direction.”
Lord says this is the second year Elk River Area Schools has conducted Youth Skills Training. But this is the first year it was awarded a grant to assist with its efforts. The two-year grant starts July 1, 2019.
Youth Skills Training happens through an ongoing partnership between ISD 728 and area employers. The intent is to allow students to explore manufacturing careers that offer good wages with work-based learning experiences to prepare students for careers and a variety of post-secondary training options.
The funding has two components. It will be used to aid students in career exploration and expand experiential learning experiences. A work-based learning coordinator is responsible for building partnerships with businesses as well as instructing and overseeing students.
Career exploration is an important piece of 