Spring is here, bringing new energy and opportunities for hands-on learning in your classrooms. As the school year enters its final stretch, we appreciate your dedication to preparing students with the skills they need for success. Keep up the great work—you’re shaping the future, one project at a time.
Special newsletters were sent out to the community about summer professional development opportunities, student summer camps, and scholarship offerings. Read below about how to share links to those newsletters.
In this newsletter, there is 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 enjoy the longer, warmer days.
Tim Barrett
Photo by jpellgen – Spring in Minnesota: Crab Apples
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Special Trade and Industry Newsletters Posted
A pair of special newsletters about scholarships available to students as well as summer opportunities for trade and industry teachers and students are posted on the Trade & Industry webpage.
They are posted under the Trade and Industry Newsletter Archive and links to the newsletters are also included below.
Inventory of Funded Programs to Support Education Workforce
An online resource, "Diversifying the Teacher Workforce: Inventory of Funded Programs," was created by Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), the Office of Higher Education (OHE) and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) to provide a high-level overview of funded programs that could be utilized locally to support and diversify the CTE educator workforce. This resource is a living document that will be edited and revised as appropriate.
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Summer Professional Development Opportunities
For a list of available summer professional development for Trade and Industry teachers, please check out the archived special newsletter Summer Trade and Industry Opportunities on the Trade and Industry webpage.
CNC Training at St. Cloud State
America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) program is a national initiative aimed at revitalizing United States manufacturing. St. Cloud State University (SCSU) will be offering another ACE Computer Numerical Control (CNC) training bootcamp on July 7-11, 2025.
After successful completion of the training, instructors will have access to Haas and Forest Scientific CNC mills in their own schools. The Technology, Engineering, and Careers (TEC) Network of SCSU will deliver portable CNC mills to school shops and labs for several weeks’ use by students and teachers. Materials, tools and supplies are all provided by the TEC Network as part of the ACE project (no cost to the school or teacher). To register, go to the SCSU registration webpage.
For more information about future training opportunities, contact Mike Sundblad (mhsundblad@stcloudstate.edu).
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Manufacturing Training for High School Faculty
Alexandria Technical and Community College is hosting the annual manufacturing trainings for high school faculty. They are holding sessions for Machine Tool Technology on June 9-13, 2025 and Welding on June 16-18, 2025.
The trainings are free. The deadline to sign up is Friday, May 16, 2025. Space is limited, so sign up soon!
You can register for Welding at the Alexandria Technical and Community College registration website.
You can register for Machine Tool Technology at the Alexandria Technical and Community College registration website.
If you have questions, please contact Amy Haggerty at amy.haggerty@alextech.edu.
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.
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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Engineering byDesign Summer Workshop
Engineering byDesign (EbD) is offering specialized training this summer, providing educators with valuable professional development to enhance their curriculum and instructional strategies. This is a great chance for teachers to deepen their understanding of STEM and technology education while gaining hands-on experience with EbD resources.
Contact Megan Dolan (mn.engineering.bydesign@mnebd.org) for more information.
Registration is available on the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) webpage:
Solar Suitcase Program Engineering Training
The Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence has partnered with WeShareSolar to develop an engineering unit for their curriculum. The Center will be offering a two-day teacher training for the WeShareSolar kits and the engineering unit at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) August 11-12, 2025.
Contact Anna Gomberg (anna@wecaresolar.org), the Senior Program Manager for Solar Education, with any questions.
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Student Summer Camp Opportunities
For a list of available summer camps for Trade and Industry students, please check out the archived special newsletter Summer Trade and Industry Opportunities on the Trade and Industry webpage.
Trade and Industry Scholarships
For a list of available Trade and Industry scholarships, please check out the archived special newsletter Trade and Industry Scholarships on the Trade and Industry webpage.
2025 Southeast Minnesota Welding Competition
Registration is open for this high school welding competition at the Rochester Local 6 Plumbers and Pipefitters facility 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.
Water Quality and Robots Program
The University of Minnesota, with support from High Tech Kids, is offering a free educational summer youth program for middle school students that combines the outdoors with robotics and science!
Leader recruitment is happening until May, training occurs at the end of May, and the program with students will happen throughout the summer.
For more information or to register, go to the University of Minnesota website.
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 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (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 at 612-508-3173 or email at greg.olson@auersteel.com to start the process.
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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 CTE program areas of construction, manufacturing, transportation and communications technology.
Drone Safety Day Resources
Drone Safety Day (DSD) is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s annual campaign dedicated to educating the drone community about the importance of flying safely and highlight the good that drones contribute to our community. Teachers can find resources and activity suggestions on the FAA website.
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 and Technical Education Pathway Reports
These labor market reports and corresponding presentations provide future trends in workforce needs by regions of Minnesota.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Regional Labor Market Profiles
Downloadable information about jobs/careers most needed per state region.
Career Program Advisory Committee Handbook
This handbook was developed to help build and sustain a strong and active advisory committee.
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