Drive for Minnesota Manufacturing Excellence (DMME) Collaboration
The Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence is proud to lead the Drive for Minnesota Manufacturing Excellence (DMME) Collaboration as part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Drive for Five grant!
The DMME Collaboration aims to grow Minnesota’s manufacturing workforce by training and placing individuals in family-sustaining wage careers over the next 15 months.
About the program:
Colleges across Minnesota will offer comprehensive manufacturing training programs specifically designed to prepare students for a career in advanced manufacturing. Students will receive coursework as well as valuable work-based learning opportunities including manufacturing facility tours, job shadowing, internships, paid work experiences, and on-the-job training. Students will receive multiple benefits such as free tuition, skill development, the opportunity to test for the MSSC Certified Production Technician credential, access to a dedicated navigator, and support services.
We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply, including:
- Individuals of color
- Individuals lacking stable housing
- Individuals with a criminal record
- Individuals without a high school diploma or equivalent
- Individuals with disabilities
- Individuals who have been unemployed for 26 or more weeks in the past year
- Individuals with limited English proficiency
- Individuals at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline
Participating colleges:
Alexandria Technical & Community College
- Sean Johns, dean of educational services, sean.johns@alextech.edu
Anoka Technical College
- Dawn Easley, dean of academic affairs, dawn.easley@anokatech.edu
Central Lakes College
- Jesse Gordon, director of workforce solutions, jesse.gordon@clcmn.edu
Hennepin Technical College
- Pamela Yang, academic dean of manufacturing, pamela.yang@hennepintech.edu
St. Cloud Technical & Community College
- Steve Hoemberg, dean of skilled trades and industry, steve.hoemberg@sctcc.edu
Saint Paul College
- Jennifer Huston, director of workforce training and continuing education, jennifer.huston@saintpaul.edu
South Central College
- Kelcey J. Woods-Nord, vice president of strategic partnerships, kelcey.woods-nord@southcentral.edu
About the Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence
Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence is one of eight Centers of Excellence throughout Minnesota State, the state college and university system that was developed to serve the needs of industry through education and outreach. The Center is located at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, MN and is an innovative, collaborative effort between education and industry to recruit, educate, and train workers for dynamic careers in advanced manufacturing. The Center collaborates with industry, education, and workforce development partners to foster innovation, enhance skills, and establish career pathways in advanced manufacturing.
Follow us on Social Media:
- Facebook: @MinnesotaManufactured
- Instagram: @mnmanufctured
- YouTube: @minnesotamanufactured