FutureForward

We are at the MN CTE for All, Everybody Works conference Thursday and Friday in St. Paul at the Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters.

Congratulations to Wabasha-Kellogg School District #811!

We're so excited to see how your program grows and provides additional opportunities to the youth at W-K and the surrounding areas!

We are excited to be at the Greenseam Rural Forum and see Cameron Addington the FFA State President from Cannon Falls Area Schools.

Great article out of Southeast Minnesota! Plumbers and Pipefitter's Local Union #6 Southeast Service Cooperative Byron Public Schools

More high school students are becoming interested in the trades in Southeast Minnesota “We thought this building would be plenty,” said Jeremy Thompson, apprenticeship coordinator with Local 6. “There’s growth all over the country right now.”

FutureForward was presented yesterday along with SLEDS and DEED Occupations in Demand data as free tools that help people set goals and ensure everyone is on the same page.

The presentation: The ROI of Partnerships: Leveraging Statewide Free Tools for Impact was presented to CTE Leaders at the 2025 MN CTE Conference.

The calm before the storm.

Come visit us at Minnesota’s Career and Technical Education Summit.

This is what a career pathway looks like! 🤩
We are thrilled to celebrate Manufacturing Month with a fantastic story from our partners at Weller Brothers Landscaping and the students of Zumbrota - Mazeppa Public Schools.
During a recent tour through the SSC Forge program, students learned about the vital work and long-term careers in the landscaping and snow removal industry. The results were immediate and inspiring: a line of students formed to request applications!

Why? Because Weller Brothers is offering $28 per hour for supplemental seasonal help, exposing youth to high-paying, entry-level work right here in Southeast Minnesota. This isn't just a seasonal job; it's a first step toward a fulfilling, local career.
Thank you to Weller Brothers for opening your doors and investing in the next generation of our regional workforce. Partnerships like this build strong communities and strong local economies!

DID YOU KNOW?
Machinery Manufacturing employs 4,400+ workers across 69 companies in SE MN.

Want to showcase your workplace? Sign up your business on FutureForward™ today at https://futureforward.org/join-directory/

DID YOU KNOW?

Food Manufacturing is SE MN’s largest subsector:

- 104 companies
- 10,352 jobs.

Want to showcase your workplace? Sign up your business on FutureForward™ today at https://futureforward.org/join-directory/

🚀 FutureForward™ Internship Program 🚀

We’re building a stronger workforce pipeline by connecting Minnesota students with authentic, paid career experiences in STEM-related fields. Employers can choose from two flexible options:

🔹 Micro-Internship (10–20 hours): A short-term, project-based experience.
🔹 Immersive Internship (30+ hours): A deeper dive into a career field.

💡 Funding is available to support both students and employers!

Micro-Internship: $450 total ($250 student wages, $200 employer support)

Immersive Internship: $2,750 total ($1,750 student wages, $1,000 employer support)

Employer support can be used for staff planning time, training, supplies, safety equipment, or even industry-recognized credentials for students.

👉 Ready to host an intern? Complete the interest form here: https://bit.ly/FutureForwardInternshipEmployerInterestForm

Learn more at www.futureforward.org
or contact:
Vic Dreier, Regional STEM Specialist
📧 [email protected]

Together, we can prepare students for high-demand, high-wage careers while helping employers grow their future talent pipeline!

Did You Know?
The average annual wage in manufacturing in SE MN is $72,228.

Manufacturing careers pay strong, family-sustaining wages.

Want to showcase your workplace? Sign up your business on FutureForward™ today at https://futureforward.org/join-directory/