Manufacturing Month
Celebrating manufacturing in Minnesota - October 2023
Minnesota is once again celebrating Manufacturing Month in October. CMMA has built a strong month of activities and events with our partners, manufacturers, schools, and communities by exhibiting and marketing the opportunities in the high-tech world of modern manufacturing. CMMA
When planning or marketing your own manufacturing events or activities on social media, please use "#MNManufacturingMonth" to make it easier for those interested to find your information.
2023 virtual magazine
The 2023 magazine includes events, tours, information, and activities. Click to view.
Share this link to the 2023 virtual magazine:
How can I participate in Manufacturing Month?
- Manufacturers can offer in-person or virtual tours; reach out to local schools and offer presentations about manufacturing career pathways; sponsor school's VEX Robotics programs; or set up scholarships with local colleges.
- Schools can reach out to local manufacturers to request personalized tours for their teachers and students; ask local businesses for swag or materials to do manufacturing projects in their classrooms; and help students understand the successful career pathways available in manufacturing.
- Chambers and community leaders can recognize local manufacturers by highlighting their local companies and debunking manufacturing myths in their newspapers and on social media sites; have a luncheon for local manufacturer recognizing their contributions to the community; offer proclamation certificates to their local manufacturers.
Central Minnesota Tour of Manufacturing 2023
The state of Minnesota is once again celebrating October as Manufacturing Month. With 41,369 jobs at 1,212 establishments, manufacturing is the second largest industry in Central Minnesota. Average annual wages were $63,908 in 2022, well above the overall average across all industries ($53,352). Total payroll for manufacturing topped $2.64 billion, more than any other industry sector in the region. Manufacturing is vital to Central Minnesota’s economy and the region has the second highest concentration of Manufacturing in the state.
CMMA will once again celebrate Manufacturing Month with the Tour of Manufacturing events and activities. Our goals are to educate potential employees about careers in manufacturing, tour local manufacturing facilities, assist manufacturers, and increase the value of CMMA.
We are again providing a virtual magazine (above) highlighting in-person and virtual tours scheduled in October, and throughout the year. This magazine is shared with local schools and communities to encourages parents, students, teachers, nonprofits, and job seekers to understand the career pathways available to them in manufacturing.
Hosting guides
Learn how to host, register, attend, or sponsor a tour at: Minnesota Manufactured. For more information and details on Manufacturing Month, visit CMMA's Tour Host Toolkit or DEED's CareerForce.
Regional Events
Automation and Upskilling Workers
October 4 • 11:00 am - 12:30 pm • Online
Join the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner, Matt Varilek, and the Workforce Strategy Consultant team for a virtual discussion to learn about strategies for training and upskilling your workforce. This will be an engaging discussion to learn about strategies for growing and expanding your business through automation, upskilling workers and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Hear from a diverse panel of employers and subject matter experts on promising practices to enhance your workforce. Please join prepared to share your experiences and ideas, as well!
Chisago County Career Exploration Event
October 11
Hands on activity by local manufacturers for students.
CTE Jamboree
November 16 • 7:15 am - 11 am
St. Cloud Technical & Community College
School board members, superintendents, principals, counselors and CTE teachers are invited to attend for free. Businesses are also invited to attend. CMMA recommends that you take a "team approach" - educators and manufacturers from the same community are encouraged to hear the information together. Is YOUR school/community ready to invest in the CTE focus that is taking place in education right now? The format will allow local manufacturers and educators to interact and envision programs and partnerships. This event is for all industries interested in strengthening their CTE in their community.
