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livable wage careers don ’ t require a 4-year degree . There is such a need for workers in manufacturing , construction and healthcare right now . The YST program is all about helping students prepare for jobs that don ’ t require a higher-education degree ,” said McConnell .

MOUNDS VIEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mounds View Public Schools got involved in the Youth Skills Training program as a result of the VHEDC Youth Skills training grant . Initially students participated in paid internships at four area manufacturing companies .

For the 2022 / 2023 school year , students are doing paid internships at Johnson Screens in New Brighton and FedTech , Inc ., a custom machining and manufacturing company in St . Paul .

“ Because of our partnership with YST through VHEDC , our partnership and ability to place our students has continued . The great thing about this program is it allows students under the age of 18 to get jobs and internships on a manufacturing floor they otherwise could not access due to OSHA requirements ,” said Mindy Handberg , Director of Community Partnerships for Mounds View Public Schools .

WHITE BEAR AREA SCHOOLS

Training students for careers in healthcare is a big part of the focus for the YST program at White Bear Area Schools . There is also a large emphasis on the automotive training program .

NORTH ST . PAUL- MAPLEWOOD-OAKDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Wessels said that the North St . Paul- Maplewood-Oakdale school district doesn ’ t currently receive funding , but has its own Youth Skills Training program in place , and is in talks with Andersen Windows to start up an internship program for high school students interested in working in the company ’ s manufacturing plant .

“ The program continues to move forward and it has been a very successful year . Not only with our 11 new grant funded partnerships , but with all the previously funded partnerships as well ,” said Wessels .

Higher Education ’ s Role in Manufacturing Training

Previously funded partners include Century College and St . Paul College . When involved with the YST program pre-pandemic , St . Paul College partnered with the White Bear Area Schools for a single day career day sampler to provide their students with exposure to training programs in four target areas : healthcare , computer science , carpentry / construction / cabinet making and advanced manufacturing .

“ What we have unfortunately been doing for way to long is pushing the fouryear degree , but that doesn ’ t work for everybody . We wanted to show students that this is still college . It just isn ’ t a traditional liberal arts-based education .”

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- Drew Hamilton , Trade and Technical Customized Training Representative for St . Paul College

Drew Hamilton , the Trade and Technical Customized Training Representative for St . Paul College said the program was very hands-on . “ In the advanced manufacturing presentation , students put their safety glasses on then were on manual mills and lathes . In carpentry they were framing in walls and knocking out windows and doors ,” he said .

“ The purpose of this program is to give students the opportunity to learn about these high growth , high demand industries , but it ’ s also to create a pipeline of future talent for the manufacturing employers that are so in need of filling these positions ,” said Wessels .

50 Northeast Metro Business