[ST. PAUL, MN] – On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, Governor Tim Walz visited students at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota to recognize Career and Technical Education Month. Photos from the visit can be found here. Last week, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan visited Minneapolis Technical and Community College to also celebrate the month and highlight the demand for technical careers in Minnesota.

“Our community and technical colleges are the foundation of Minnesota’s economic future,” said Governor Walz. “I’m proud to celebrate the sophisticated job training and incredible education happening at campuses across Minnesota and thank the educators who are dedicated to empowering students to enter into high-demand, good-paying careers in rapidly growing industries like manufacturing.”

“Whether it’s repairing HVAC systems, welding, or preparing for a career in the culinary industry, career and technical education is crucial to providing opportunities for every Minnesotan to thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I am grateful for all the technical and community colleges who are helping fill the gaps in our workforce and providing every student with an exciting, individualized pathway to success.”

Last year, Governor Walz signed into law the North Star Promise Scholarship Program to create tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for eligible Minnesota residents at Minnesota State colleges and universities. This scholarship serves as a “last-dollar” program by covering the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends, and waivers for families with a household income below $80,000. This program will impact 15,000 to 20,000 students in the 2024-25 academic year.

Additionally, last fall, Governor Walz signed an executive order eliminating college degree requirements for over 75% of state government jobs. The executive order opens job opportunities for more people and makes it easier for people in Minnesota to choose state service.

In October, Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) launched the Drive for 5 Workforce Initiative , a major new effort to prepare more Minnesotans for high-demand jobs in five occupational categories: technology, the trades, caring professions, manufacturing, and education. The Drive for 5 initiative is part of a slate of historic workforce development investments Governor Walz secured during the last legislative session.

Governor Walz also allocated more than $216.5 million for DEED’s Employment and Training Programs over the next two years, including $20 million for Drive for 5 and $50 million to support workforce development in historically overlooked communities.

Minnesota’s economy added more than 50,000 jobs over the past year, and more than 185,000 jobs remain open in Minnesota as employers try to find enough workers to fill these vacancies. Job demand over the past two years was at or near record highs in every region of the state and in most industries, with many openings providing opportunities for career growth and family-sustaining wages.