CMMA is pleased to announce plans are in full swing for the 2025 Central Minnesota Tour of Manufacturing to be held October 1 - 4. The manufacturing industry in Minnesota has designated October as Manufacturing Month. Manufacturing is Minnesota’s second largest employing industry and accounts for over 15% of all employment in the Central MN. Manufacturing workers made an average annual wage of just under $79,000, which is $7,500 higher than Minnesota’s overall average wage in 2023 - and the highest paying industry in MN. And it's the second largest industry in Minnesota with roughly 326,000 people in manufacturing. In 2023, there were approximately 12,000 job vacancies in manufacturing, and this is expected to grow to over 93,000 openings by 2032 when factoring in new jobs and retirements.
 
CMMA’s goals are to educate schools, communities, and potential employees about these great paying careers in manufacturing, tour local manufacturing facilities, assist manufacturers, and increase the value of CMMA. To meet these goals, we will focus on marketing and social media campaigns, educational resources, manufacturing tours, as well as employer and community engagement.
 
We will also offer a newly designed virtual magazine, highlighting in-person and private tours scheduled during the Central Minnesota Tour of Manufacturing and throughout the year. A new and exciting pull-out section of the magazine will be devoted to students. This magazine is shared with local schools, CareerForce centers, and communities to encourages parents, students, teachers, nonprofits, and job seekers to understand the career pathways available to them in manufacturing, with as little as a high school diploma or GED and on-the-job training. Last year we had 20 in-person or private tours of manufacturers highlighted in the magazine and created over 324,000 impressions with web, digital, and social media.
 
Due to our dedication, CMMA will once again assist schools by providing funding for busing costs throughout a 13-county region in central MN. Schools can apply for funding here.
 
CMMA will also host a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Jamboree on November 20 at Big Lake High School, where school leaders, CTE faculty, and manufacturers learn how to strengthen  career pathways programs, youth skills training, and apprenticeship opportunities. Participants will also have the opportunity to tour LISI Medical Inc., in Big Lake. We encourage all our members to invite their local school, as teachers attend for free and will develop skills they can incorporate at their own school.  
 
To see last year’s magazine and activities, see Central Minnesota Tour of Manufacturing VIRTUAL MAGAZINE on the Manufacturing Month page at CMMAWorks.org.

If you are interested in participating on the committee, offering a manufacturing tour, or being a sponsor for the Central Minnesota Tour of Manufacturing, please reach out to Katie@MidwestManufacturers.com.