2026 FutureForward™ Welding Competition
2026-04-15 08:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Local 6 Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center, 3111 19th ST NW, Rochester, 55901, United States
FutureForward™ Welding Competition

The FutureForward™ Welding Competition is an annual regional event that celebrates and showcases
the skills of high school welding students across Minnesota. Students compete in a hands-on welding
challenge judged by industry professionals, gaining real-world feedback and recognition for their craftsmanship.

In addition to the competition, students have the opportunity to engage with local employers, unions,
and postsecondary programs at an on-site career fair. These interactions help students explore career
paths in welding, manufacturing, and the skilled trades, connecting classroom learning to real career opportunities.

The event also offers professional development for welding instructors and serves as a valuable platform
for schools and industry partners to collaborate in building a stronger workforce pipeline.

This competition is more than a one-day event. It is a critical step in preparing students for
success in high-demand, high-skill careers.

School Signup

Industry Signup

Sponsorship Information

Greater Mankato Career Expo
2026-04-15 09:00 - 15:00 | Minnesota
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato
Each year, over 1,500 10th grade students from South Central Minnesota attend the Career Expo to explore future career paths. Through interactive exhibits, personal career stories, and a lively career-themed game show, students connect with local professionals and gain insights into real-world opportunities.
https://www.mnscsc.org/services/career-expo
Questions, contact Gwenn Wolters

Key Conversations Before College Begins
2026-04-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
If you’re a parent/guardian with a student heading to college this fall, join us to learn more about how to best prepare your child for their next educational journey. This sessions will cover some of the key conversations to have with your child before they start college. From understanding finances, to navigating a college campus, to making sure your child knows how to do their laundry, we will help you feel prepared to send your child to college!
This event is part of a 6-event series called The College Planning series. Check out the other events at the link below!

Mayo Clinic Career Webinars
2026-05-07 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-21 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-09-08 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-15 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-11-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-11-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Minnesota
These webinars are designed to provide guidance through Mayo Clinic’s application and interviewing process, along with highlighting the many career opportunities available at Mayo Clinic.
CRNA Insider Pathway to Success: Navigating Your Career Journey
February 24, 2026 – 4:30 p.m. CST
X-Ray – The Foundation of Diagnostic Imaging
February 26, 2026 – 1:00p.m. CST
DLMP – Phlebotomy
March 17, 2026 – 12:00 p.m. CST
CT & MRI – Advanced Imaging for Precision Care
May 7, 2026 – 1:00 p.m. CST
DLMP – Lab Assistant (LA)/Lab Processing Assistant (LPA)/Referral Specialists
May 19, 2026 – 12:00 p.m. CST
DLMP – CLT/CLS/Histology/Cytology
July 21, 2026 – 12:00 p.m. CST
Interventional Radiology – Where Imaging Meets Innovation
September 8, 2026 – 1:00 p.m. CST
DLMP – Phlebotomy
September 15, 2026 – 12:00 p.m. CST
DLMP – LA/LPA/Referral Specialists
November 10, 2026 – 12:00 p.m. CST
Nuclear Medicine – Imaging Beyond Anatomy
November 17, 2026 – 1:00 p.m. CST

2026 Industry Partner of the Year Awards
2026-05-08 07:30 - 09:00 | Wood Lake Meeting Center, Woodlake Drive, Rochester, MN, 55904, United States
This award acknowledges individuals and organizations who enhance K-12 student achievement, show leadership and commitment to ongoing development, advocate for career and technical education paths, and display collaboration among K-12 schools, businesses, trades, and higher education institutions.
Tentative Agenda:
7:30 AM – Breakfast & Networking
8:00 AM – Round Table Sessions
8:30 AM – Regional Impact Review & Awards Ceremony
Nomination Form:
bit.ly/IPOY2026Nominate
Registration Link:
bit.ly/IndustryPartneroftheYearAwards2025Registration
This event is free to attend. Tables of 6 are reserved for all nominees and nominators, with additional seating available upon request.

ACE Composites Bootcamp at Winona State University
2026-06-08 08:00 - 2026-06-12 17:00, 2026-07-13 08:00 - 2026-07-17 17:00, 2026-08-03 08:00 - 2026-08-07 17:00 | Winona State University, 263 W Mark St, Winona, 55987, United States
Looking for a summer experience that is more than just a camp? The ACE Composites Bootcamp at Winona State University gives participants the chance to experience college life, explore a highly specialized engineering and manufacturing field, and learn in a hands-on environment alongside university faculty and industry-connected partners.
This week-long bootcamp introduces participants to composite materials such as carbon fiber and fiberglass and shows how those materials are used in advanced manufacturing. Program materials describe hands-on experience with industry equipment, an ACE Composites certification, and the opportunity to make carbon fiber and fiberglass composites to take home. The program also includes free on-campus housing and food, with a stated value of $2,500.
Participants do more than observe — they make. Winona State’s ACE bootcamp was designed so participants experience multiple manufacturing processes, create a project connected to automotive applications, stay on campus for the week, and take home something they built themselves. The featured project is a composite car built through a variety of processes, followed by assembly, customization, trial runs, and a final race day competition.
This experience is especially valuable for students because it offers a chance to spend time on a college campus, learn from professors, and explore a respected program area in a real-world setting. It is a strong fit for students who are curious about engineering, manufacturing, materials science, or other technical career pathways and want to better understand what college-level learning in this field can look like.
Participants will also gain exposure to several manufacturing methods used in industry. Program materials highlight processes including hand layup, injection molding, infusion, compression molding, thermoforming, and resin casting.
Who Should Attend
This opportunity is open to participants age 17 and older and is a strong fit for:
1. High school students, especially those who have completed junior or senior year
2. College students looking to build skills and strengthen their resume
3. Graduate students seeking more exposure to advanced technology
4. Teachers seeking STEM training and professional development
5. Industry professionals interested in understanding composite manufacturing processes
Participants will:
1. Explore advanced manufacturing and composite materials in a hands-on setting
2. Work with industry-relevant tools, materials, and equipment
3. Learn directly from Winona State faculty and industry-connected partners
4. Build, assemble, customize, and race a composite car
5. Take home a completed project
6. Gain exposure to college campus life and technical learning environments
7. Earn an ACE Composites credential
8. Build confidence in engineering, manufacturing, and technical problem-solving
Why Attend?
This is a unique opportunity to explore an in-demand field through real, project-based learning. Participants are not just sitting through presentations — they are actively making, testing, and learning. For students and families, it is also a meaningful way to visit a college campus, connect learning to career possibilities, and better understand pathways in engineering and advanced manufacturing.
Important Details
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Age 17 and older
Includes: Free on-campus housing and meals
Travel: Travel costs are not covered
Format: Week-long summer bootcamp
Credential: ACE Composites certification / badge
Project: Participants build and take home a composite project
Ready to build something real this summer?
Join the ACE Composites Bootcamp at Winona State University and experience advanced manufacturing, college life, and engineering career exploration firsthand.

2026 Middle School Career Academy (Summer Camp)
2026-06-09 08:00 - 2026-06-12 15:00 | Rochester Community and Technical College – Heintz Center, Collegeview Road East, Rochester, MN, 55904, United States
For students in current grades 6, 7, 8
400 seats available – Register today!
– Half-day with one pathway or full-day with two pathways, lunch provided
Interactive career exploration
– 25 students per session
PATHWAYS: Agriculture, Construction, Culinary, & Hospitality, Health Science “SCRUBS Camp”, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Public Safety and Emergency Services, Transportation

REGISTRATION: Limited to 25 students per session and 400 seats are available, so do not hesitate to register as soon as you can. Registration is $25 per student ($50 per student for a full day)

Camp Options Include: Morning Session (8-11 AM), Afternoon Session (12-3 PM).

InnoCrate STEM Teacher Workshops at Winona State University
2026-06-10 08:00 - 2026-06-12 17:00 | Winona State University, 263 W Mark St, Winona, 55987, United States
Summary:
K–5 teachers are invited to a free, hands-on professional learning experience at Winona State University. Participants will receive InnoCrate training, earn professional development credit, and take back an InnoCrate kit valued at $2,000 to support classroom instruction in advanced manufacturing topics such as composites, CNC machining, and metal casting.
Full Description:
The InnoCrate Teacher Workshop at Winona State University is designed to expand how K–12 students learn about advanced manufacturing by equipping teachers with high-quality tools, training, and classroom-ready experiences.
This in-person workshop is open to K–2 and 3–5 teachers and focuses on helping educators build foundational student awareness of career pathways in composites, CNC machining, and metal casting. Through guided training with Winona State faculty, participants will learn how to use the InnoCrate curriculum and kit to bring engaging, hands-on STEM and manufacturing learning into their classrooms. (Expereince will focus on 3-5 kits, but you can take K-2 with you upon completion.)
The workshop takes place over three days on the Winona State campus:
Day 1: Winona State faculty train participating teachers on InnoCrate
Day 2: Training continues with deeper learning and preparation
Day 3: Age-appropriate students join participants on campus, and teachers practice using the InnoCrate kit by team teaching a lesson to 15–20 students
This structure gives teachers the chance not only to learn the materials, but also to practice using them in an authentic teaching setting before bringing them back to school.
Each participating teacher receives a free InnoCrate kit valued at $2,000, along with professional development credit for STEM in Minnesota. In addition, travel reimbursement and kit resupply funds of up to $650 per participant are available. Lunch and snacks will be provided each day.
This is an excellent opportunity for schools that want to strengthen elementary STEM instruction, build awareness of advanced manufacturing pathways, and support teachers with practical, ready-to-use classroom resources.
2026 Workshop Dates
June 10–12, 2026 or August 5–7, 2026
Location
Winona State University campus
In person
Who Should Attend
This workshop is a strong fit for:
K–2 teachers
Grades 3–5 teachers
STEM teachers in elementary settings
Schools looking to expand hands-on STEM and career-connected learning
Educators who want practical tools and training they can use right away
Participants will:
1. Receive hands-on training from Winona State faculty
2. Learn how to teach advanced manufacturing concepts in age-appropriate ways
3. Receive a free InnoCrate kit valued at $2,000
4. Earn professional development credit for STEM in Minnesota
5. Access travel reimbursement and kit resupply support up to $650
6. Practice teaching with students during the final day of the workshop
7. Leave with tools and strategies ready for classroom implementation
Why Attend
This workshop offers more than professional development. It gives teachers the training, materials, and practice needed to confidently bring hands-on STEM and advanced manufacturing learning into their classrooms. For schools, it is a high-value opportunity to invest in both teacher growth and student engagement.
Important Details
Cost: Free
Audience: K–2 and 3–5 teachers
Format: In person at Winona State University
Workshop Dates: June 10–12, 2026 and August 5–7, 2026
Included: InnoCrate kit, lunch, snacks, professional development credit
Additional Support: Travel reimbursement and kit resupply funds up to $650 per participant
Registration: First come, first served
Limit: Up to 2 STEM teachers per school per workshop
Selection Notice: Confirmation of registration/selection will be sent by the end of April 2026
Bring hands-on STEM learning and advanced manufacturing exploration back to your classroom. Register for the InnoCrate Teacher Workshop at Winona State University and gain the tools, training, and support to make a lasting impact for your students.

InnoCrate STEM Teacher Workshops at Winona State University
2026-08-05 08:00 - 2026-08-07 17:00 | Winona State University, 263 W Mark St, Winona, 55987, United States
Summary:
K–5 teachers are invited to a free, hands-on professional learning experience at Winona State University. Participants will receive InnoCrate training, earn professional development credit, and take back an InnoCrate kit valued at $2,000 to support classroom instruction in advanced manufacturing topics such as composites, CNC machining, and metal casting.
Full Description:
The InnoCrate Teacher Workshop at Winona State University is designed to expand how K–12 students learn about advanced manufacturing by equipping teachers with high-quality tools, training, and classroom-ready experiences.
This in-person workshop is open to K–2 and 3–5 teachers and focuses on helping educators build foundational student awareness of career pathways in composites, CNC machining, and metal casting. Through guided training with Winona State faculty, participants will learn how to use the InnoCrate curriculum and kit to bring engaging, hands-on STEM and manufacturing learning into their classrooms. (Experience will focus on 3-5 kits, but you can take K-2 with you upon completion.)
The workshop takes place over three days on the Winona State campus:
Day 1: Winona State faculty train participating teachers on InnoCrate
Day 2: Training continues with deeper learning and preparation
Day 3: Age-appropriate students join participants on campus, and teachers practice using the InnoCrate kit by team teaching a lesson to 15–20 students
This structure gives teachers the chance not only to learn the materials, but also to practice using them in an authentic teaching setting before bringing them back to school.
Each participating teacher receives a free InnoCrate kit valued at $2,000, along with professional development credit for STEM in Minnesota. In addition, travel reimbursement and kit resupply funds of up to $650 per participant are available. Lunch and snacks will be provided each day.
This is an excellent opportunity for schools that want to strengthen elementary STEM instruction, build awareness of advanced manufacturing pathways, and support teachers with practical, ready-to-use classroom resources.
2026 Workshop Dates
June 10–12, 2026 or August 5–7, 2026
Location
Winona State University campus
In person
Who Should Attend
This workshop is a strong fit for:
K–2 teachers
Grades 3–5 teachers
STEM teachers in elementary settings
Schools looking to expand hands-on STEM and career-connected learning
Educators who want practical tools and training they can use right away
Participants will:
1. Receive hands-on training from Winona State faculty
2. Learn how to teach advanced manufacturing concepts in age-appropriate ways
3. Receive a free InnoCrate kit valued at $2,000
4. Earn professional development credit for STEM in Minnesota
5. Access travel reimbursement and kit resupply support up to $650
6. Practice teaching with students during the final day of the workshop
7. Leave with tools and strategies ready for classroom implementation
Why Attend
This workshop offers more than professional development. It gives teachers the training, materials, and practice needed to confidently bring hands-on STEM and advanced manufacturing learning into their classrooms. For schools, it is a high-value opportunity to invest in both teacher growth and student engagement.
Important Details
Cost: Free
Audience: K–2 and 3–5 teachers
Format: In person at Winona State University
Workshop Dates: June 10–12, 2026 and August 5–7, 2026
Included: InnoCrate kit, lunch, snacks, professional development credit
Additional Support: Travel reimbursement and kit resupply funds up to $650 per participant
Registration: First come, first served
Limit: Up to 2 STEM teachers per school per workshop
Selection Notice: Confirmation of registration/selection will be sent by the end of April 2026
Bring hands-on STEM learning and advanced manufacturing exploration back to your classroom. Register for the InnoCrate Teacher Workshop at Winona State University and gain the tools, training, and support to make a lasting impact for your students.

CareerQuest 2026
2026-09-18 08:00 - 12:00 | Riverland Community College, 2200 Riverland Dr, Albert Lea, 56007, United States
CareerQuest provides students with meaningful, hands-on experiences alongside local industry professionals, helping them explore career pathways and prepare for life after high school. Rather than a traditional job fair, CareerQuest offers interactive activities designed to help students determine whether a career path is the right fit for their interests and skills. Last year’s event engaged hundreds of students and dozens of regional employers, and we look forward to partnering with schools for another impactful day.
View the 2025 recap video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXVplUK2zso

EPIC Student Day
2026-10-23 08:00 - 14:00 | St Cloud Technical and Community College, 1540 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, 56301, United States
EPIC Student Day is an immersive, hands-on experience designed to help students explore real-world careers, discover their interests, and connect learning to future opportunities. Through interactive sessions, students engage directly with local professionals across a variety of industries, gaining insight into career pathways, workplace skills, and the education needed to succeed.
The day is built to spark curiosity and confidence—giving students the chance to ask questions, participate in activities, and envision their future in a meaningful way. EPIC Student Day empowers young people to take the next step in their career journey with greater clarity, purpose, and excitement.

2027 FutureForward™ Career, College, and Job Fair
2027-03-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Cannon Falls Community Field House, Minnesota Street East, Cannon Falls, MN, 55009, United States
Discover Your Future at the 2027 FutureForward™ Career, College, and Job Fair
Join businesses representing every career cluster, schools from across Southeast Minnesota’s premier regional career, college, and job fair.
What to Expect:

Interactive Exhibits – Each booth is encouraged to have engaging, hands-on activities to maximize the benefits for students, educators, and businesses.
Career Exploration – Learn about internships, school employment, and long-term career opportunities to get inspired for the future.
Training & Education – Explore training and education opportunities—like two-year and four-year college programs, hands-on apprenticeships, or employer-led training designed to advance your future career.
Job & Internship Opportunities – Discover part-time, full-time, and summer job openings.
FutureForward™ Resources – Each business will have a free FutureForward™ page that can be accessed by you, or your students, at any time without the need for any clunky logins and each business will have a FutureForward™ QR code on their booth to facilitate connections between students, educators, and the business or training partner.
