High School Students Tour Regional Manufacturers

APEX, in partnership with the Lake Superior Perkins Consortium and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), was pleased to arrange tours of regional manufacturing facilities for over 300 high school students again this year, on October 4 and 5.

To recognize and celebrate Minnesota Manufacturing Month, students from 11 school districts covering Moose Lake to Two Harbors, including Fond du Lac, explored 13 companies in Duluth, Superior, Two Harbors and Chisholm.

“The best way to understand the regional manufacturing industry and the career opportunities it holds is first-hand experience and exposure,” said Rachel Johnson, APEX President and CEO. “APEX understands that workforce development begins far sooner than when someone lands their first job. The tours were an informative and fun way to connect the region’s next generation of manufacturing professionals with manufacturers right in their backyard.”

APEX thanks the Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence’s Transportation Grant and the Lake Superior Perkins Consortium for covering the tour expenses, enabling the 38 tours to happen.

“The tours are a great opportunity for high school students to learn the industry and all the different types of jobs that are available,” said Bryson Pearson, Plant Quality Supervisor at LP Building Solutions in Two Harbors.

Students were engaged and excited during the tours and appreciated hearing from a variety of experts. Live demonstrations, hands-on experiences and real conversations with employees sparked interest and will hopefully drive many students to explore career opportunities in manufacturing. Companies that participated in the tours included APEX investor-members (linked) and other area manufacturing leaders:

• Altec, Inc.
• Barko Hydraulics
• Cirrus Aircraft
• Exodus Global
• GPM, Inc.
• ME Elecmetal
• BendTec, LLC
• Lost Forty Studios
• Frost River
• IPS Cranes
• Stanley LaBounty
• LP Building Solutions
• SCS Interiors

To learn more or participate in future manufacturing tours, please contact Sandy Johnson, APEX Director of Member Relations and Administration, at sandy@APEXgetsbusiness.com.