[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today visited Buhler, a food equipment manufacturer in Plymouth, to kick off a statewide workforce tour and spend a day in the life with manufacturing professionals – one of the career fields experiencing a labor shortage in Minnesota. Minnesota is investing millions in job training and workforce development to fill high-growth, high-demand jobs across the state, including in manufacturing, public safety, technology, caring professions, and education. Photos from the event are attached.

“Minnesota’s manufacturing industry is filled with companies that are innovating and delivering solutions in our global economy – and these companies have thousands of high-paying, career-building jobs for Minnesotans across the state,” said Governor Walz. “By investing in career training, we’re helping businesses find the skilled workers they need while helping Minnesotans earn family-sustaining wages. This is good for our workers, our businesses, and our economy.”

With 325,000 workers, manufacturing is the second largest industry in Minnesota. The industry has one of the highest job vacancies in the state, with over 18,000 high-growth, high-paying jobs available to Minnesotans. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is working with companies like Buhler to provide job training in the manufacturing industry.

The One Minnesota Budget passed this session includes $20 million over the next two years to support the Drive for Five Workforce Fund, which will prepare Minnesotans to enter five of the most critical occupational categories in the state with high-growth jobs and family-sustaining wages: technology, caring professions, education, manufacturing, and trades.

This event comes as Minnesota was recently named a top-five state for business. Governor Walz last week also announced more than $7 million in grants awarded to 47 organizations to provide young people workforce development and training opportunities.

This week, Governor Walz will visit Savage and Duluth to highlight job training and workforce investments in education and public safety.