As we navigate the heart of winter, we want to celebrate your resilience and commitment to fostering creativity and technical skills in your students. Your efforts are building a strong foundation for their future success, even during these chilly months. Keep up the great work—you’re making a difference every day!
I am working on a special newsletter that outlines summer professional development opportunities, student summer camps, and scholarship offerings. Check your email box in the next couple of weeks.
In this newsletter, I have information about the new guidance documents from the Minnesota Department of Education's Career and Technical Education unit.
There is also news about upcoming conferences and events, professional development opportunities, grant/scholarship opportunities, and summer workshops. I will keep sending out information, but feel free to connect if you have anything you want to share about these topics or something else that keeps you up at nights!
Take care and have a great journey till spring!
Tim Barrett
Photo by Gina Paulucci – Footprints in the Snow in Minnesota
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New CTE Resources
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) unit at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has created a number of new resources to help support Minnesota CTE teachers:
There have also been recent updates to existing resources on the Trade and Industry webpage. Be sure to check them out!
Real Time Talent Minnesota Career and Technical Education Pathway Reports
Career and Technical Education: Workforce Trends and Careers of Tomorrow – These new, updated regional labor market reports and corresponding presentations support navigating changes in local labor markets and explore how these changes may impact enrollment, industry, career advancement, and the needed programs of study by region of Minnesota.
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MDE Trade and Industry Professional Development
A number of professional development opportunities are still available for Trade and Industry teachers. Check out the ones that can best help you and your program.
You can find more information about training and technical assistance on the Trade and Industry webpage.
Also, feel free to suggest further topics for discussion. Send any ideas to Tim Barrett (tim.barrett@state.mn.us).
Free Welding Training
This training is designed for Trade and Industry or Agriculture Educators who have little experience in the field of welding Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). It is also for those looking to hone their skills in out-of-position welding. Trainees will gain experience with a variety of welding machines, curriculum and project ideas to take home to their classrooms. Please contact ryan.stanley@austin.k12.mn.us for more details and look for the registration link in future newsletters.
Save the Date! 2MTEC Manufacturing Educator Conference
The Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence will hold a spring conference specifically designed for career and technical educators and post-secondary educators April 9-10, 2025. The Minnesota Manufactured Technical Education Conference (2MTEC) connects educators directly with manufacturers and promotes the sharing of knowledge and best practices. Attendees can hone their skills in machining, welding, mechatronics and quality in manufacturing through intensive hands-on workshops. Check out the 2MTEC conference website for more information.
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Robotics and Automation Technician Training
In cooperation with CASE (Curriculum for Agriculture Science Education), AgCentric will be offering professional development training around our new Robotics and Automation Technician curriculum, developed for secondary teachers. Training will be held June 29-30 at Central Lakes College in Staples. Go to the CASE website to apply for this professional development.
Train the Trainer
Specifically designed for Agriculture, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and Trade and Industry teachers, this three-day workshop will include training to support instructors in four core areas: welding, plumbing, electrical and construction. The event will take place June 10-12, 2025 at St Cloud Technical and Community College in St. Cloud. The cost for training is $100, which includes meals and snacks. Visit AgCentric – Connecting Education & Agriculture under Professional Development for registration links and more information.
E3 Workshops: Energy Education for Educators
High School Agriculture, Mathematics, Science, and Trade and Industry Teachers are encouraged to register for and attend the Workshops. Past presentations have included the following sessions: Anaerobic Digestion, Biofuels, Biomass, Drone Technology, Hydro Power, Nuclear Power Generation, Power Transmission, Solar, Wind, and an introduction to the Energy Trailer.
Online registration for the E3 Workshops is available March 25, 2025.
Computer Science (CS) Professional Learning
Applications are open for the summer Professional Learning Program for middle and high school educators! If you’re interested in teaching computer science for the 2025-26 academic year, this is a great opportunity to explore CS curriculum and collaborate with educators of all experience levels to develop lesson plans and teaching strategies.
Middle and high school teachers will begin with a five-day in-person workshop on Computer Science Discoveries, Computer Science Principles, and Computer Science A in the summer, with quarterly meetings thereafter.
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SCSU WBL Endorsement Option/Summer Workshops
St. Cloud State University (SCSU)'s Department of Environmental and Technological Studies offers a number of online and in-person courses to assist Trade and Industry teachers with licensure, now including courses for a work-based learning endorsement.
Please check the SCSU website for more information and to register.
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Remaining Construct Tomorrow School Year Events
The Construct Tomorrow program provides students with information about career training and opportunities in the construction industry. The team includes staff members from Apprenticeship Minnesota, apprenticeship coordinators, prime and sub-contractors and local educators. The organizers host events for students to introduce them to opportunities in the construction industry.
You will find more information and updates at the Construct Tomorrow website.
2025 Southeast Minnesota Welding Competition
Registration is open for this high school welding competition held at the Rochester Local 6 Plumbers & Pipefitters facility. The competition is being held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
They are again inviting non-competing students and staff to attend this year’s competition. They will still have the career fair, breakout sessions, hands-on activities, lunch, etc. provided for them. There is a separate registration form if you are electing to just bring non-competing students and staff. Back by popular demand, there will also have an instructor competition again this year. Instructors will be scored identically to the students.
If you or your business partners have any questions about this, please have them contact Nick Wobig at 507-273-9661. All registrations and other information can be found at the Welding Competition registration website.
National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) Summer Camps
University of Minnesota
This free two-week summer day camp at the University of Minnesota will introduce students to the many aspects of the transportation field. Students go on field trips around the Twin Cities, participate in hands-on lab activities, and learn from experts about what it’s like to work in transportation.
They are accepting applications for the 2025 NSTI camp from January 6 through February 7, 2025.
Contact ctscamps@umn.edu for more information.
South Dakota State University
During this free one-week-long summer camp, students will be introduced to different aspects of transportation engineering, such as planning, materials and transportation modes, among other topics. Students will also have an opportunity to participate in hands-on lab activities in workshops and learn from experts about the transportation sector and the problems transportation engineers solve.
Application deadline is May 10, 2025.
For more information, contact Rouzbeh Ghabchi.
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Regional Engineering Machine Design Contest
Minnesota Engineering Center of Excellence is hosting an engineering design contest near you! The competition is open to fifth-eighth grade teams and ninth-12th grade teams. Regional contests and locations are posted on the Engineering Center of Excellence webpage along with the Contest Handbook. For additional information, contact Melissa A. Huppert, STEM Outreach Director, at melissa.huppert@mnsu.edu.
Learn about HVAC careers
Auer Steel and Heating Supply Company is focused on working with the education community to help spread the word about the HVAC industry. They would love to partner with you to bring awareness of an exciting and growing career field for your students. A representative from the company will share a brief presentation and lead some hands-on exercises that paint a picture of what it is like to work as an HVAC technician. Please feel free to call or text Greg Olson on his cell phone at 612-508-3173 or email him at greg.olson@auersteel.com to start the process.
African American Registry
The African American Registry (AAREG) is the most comprehensive online database resource of African American heritage in the world, and it originated and is located right here in Minnesota. The searchable registry includes information about the diverse people who have impacted the Trade and Industry community. You can find the registry and other resources at the AAREG website.
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Construction Career Scholarships
A great number of Minnesota’s construction-related associations offer scholarships for young people seeking careers in the industry. Check out the Project Build MN website for organizations that are handing out money. Take a look!
MAPA Scholarships for High School Students
The Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association (MAPA) will award up to 10 scholarships for $1,000 each to students interested in pursuing a career in road construction or asphalt industry. Students can be pursuing a two- or four-year degree in programs such as: Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance, Construction Management, Heavy Construction Equipment, Trucking, Diesel Maintenance, Construction Technology, Civil Engineering or other related degrees.
2025 PIM Scholarship Application Deadline is April 1!
The Printing Industry Midwest (PIM) Education Foundation will soon be accepting applications for 2023–2024 school year. Completed scholarship applications are due April 1, 2025. PIM Scholarships are available to students pursuing a two- or four-year degree in graphic communication-related majors.
This includes:
- Press Operation,
- Print Management,
- Graphic Design,
- and other degrees involving print.
The applicant must reside in the state of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota or North Dakota. For more information, visit the PIM website.
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MHCA Scholarship
The Minnesota Heating and Cooling Association (MHCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of the HVAC industry. The MHCA will once again be offering MHCA scholarships to students pursuing a career in the HVAC field. Individuals who are seeking a career in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) field are invited to apply.
Multiple $1,000 scholarships may be available. Applications are due April 4, 2025.
Horatio Alger Career and Technical Scholarships
The Career and Technical Scholarship Program scholarships are awarded to students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their lives who wish to pursue a career or technical education at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States. Funds may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies.
The Horatio Alger Career and Technical Education Scholarship application will open on March 15 with a priority deadline of June 15 each year. Should spaces remain, the application will remain open until all scholarships are awarded. Please refer to the CTE Scholarship page to confirm the current application status.
All scholarship funds are paid directly to the institution on behalf of the recipient. Complete details are available at the Horatio Alger Association Scholarship webpage.
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MDE Trade and Industry Page
Check out the webpage at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for Trade and Industry for the most recent information about the various topics concerning Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas of Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation and Communications Technology.
Drones and Wildfires Resource
There is important information available about temporary restrictions that exist around flying drones near firefighting sites. Check out material about restricted airspace around wildfires at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) website or the United States Forest Service webpage.
More Resources Available from NCAT
The National Center for Autonomous Technologies (NCAT) has been busy adding Course Curriculum resources to their online library. Curricula include electricity and electronics, remote sensing, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and robotics. Included are complete course packages, as well as activities, lectures, lesson plans, student guides and more. These cost-free resources are available for download. Interested in sharing course curriculum with the AT community? NCAT has made this simple by adding the "Submit a Resource" feature to their website.
Green Careers for a Changing Climate
The Green Careers for a Changing Climate Instructional Supplement from Climate Generation contains resources to help young people grades 6-8 learn about Green STEM Careers—careers that can help solve climate change impacts using STEM skills. Includes connections to Project Drawdown solutions and can be used in any subject area!
Check Out These Additional Career Exploration or Curriculum Resources:
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Want to let folks know about a great project or new program or initiative? Know of a great resource or professional development opportunity you would like to share? Have a burning question that needs answering?
Let me know about it so I can include it in an upcoming newsletter. If you have images that go with the information, please send it along to Tim Barrett (tim.barrett@state.mn.us).
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Professional Organizations:
- International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA) – Find more information at the ITEEA website.
- Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) – Learn more at the ACTE website.
Minnesota-Based Partner Organizations:
- Midwest Teachers of Transportation and Industrial Areas (MTTIA) – Sign up to join at the MTTIA website.
- Minnesota Technology and Engineering Education Association (MTEEA) – Get more information at the MTEEA website.
- Minnesota chapter of the Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA MN) – Get more information at the CSTA MN website.
- SkillsUSA Minnesota – For more information, visit the Minnesota chapter of SkillsUSA at the SkillsUSA Minnesota website.
- Minnesota Association of Career and Technical Administrators (MACTA) – Check out how MACTA helps support CTE on the MACTA website.
Minnesota State’s Centers of Excellence
Explore the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence.
Labor Market Infographics
This page has links to a number of helpful infographics that provide key data to parents concerning the value of CTE career pathways.
RealTime Talent Minnesota Career & Technical Education Pathway Reports
These labor market reports and corresponding presentations provide future trends in workforce needs by regions of Minnesota.
DEED Regional Labor Market Profiles
Downloadable information about jobs/careers most needed per state region.
Advisory Committee Handbook
This handbook was developed to help build and sustain a strong and active advisory committee.
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