Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Ensuring equal opportunity for all businesses and personnel on our projects

Training programs

Workforce training programs

MnDOT offers free highway construction training for Indigenous people, Black people, people of color, women, and individuals facing disadvantages. These programs prepare individuals for a career in highway construction trades.

Cement Masonry-Labor

Construction laborers use a variety of hand and power tools to hammer, lift, saw and measure materials to build roads and bridges. Cement mason-labor includes building concrete forms and finishing work.

In this six-week program, participants gain training and job placement opportunities in highway construction. Work boots, PPE and construction tools provided. Offered in partnership with DEED.

Commercial Driver's License - American OIC - Metro

Commercial truck drivers transport construction materials and supplies to and from construction sites.

Participants learn how to operate vehicles that require CDL Class A licensure. Upon completion, participants earn a CDL Class A license.

Commercial Driver's License – Rochester

Commercial truck drivers transport construction materials and supplies to and from construction sites.

Participants in this training program receive classroom and hands-on training to support their attainment of a Class A Commercial Drivers’ License and entry into the highway construction industry. Presented in partnership with Workforce Development, Inc.

Commercial Driver's License – West Metro

Commercial truck drivers transport construction materials and supplies to and from construction sites.

Participants gain CDL Class A instruction, qualifications, and experience. They also learn about highway safety precautions and OSHA regulations. Presented in partnership with Mind the G.A.P.P.

Multi-trade apprenticeship readiness

This 12-week program helps participants choose and enter a registered apprenticeship program. Presented in partnership with Building Strong Communities.

 
Commercial Drivers’ License - Duluth

Commercial truck drivers transport construction materials and supplies to and from construction sites.

Participants gain professional driving skills through classroom and hands-on training. Participants earn a Class A Commercial Driver’s License and qualify for entry-level truck driving positions. Presented in partnership with SOAR Career Solutions and Lake Superior College.

Connected Automated Vehicle Camp

MnDOT partners with the University of Minnesota to teach high school students about connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology such as self-driving cars and automated shuttles. Students explore career opportunities in this industry and participate in:

  • Hands-on opportunities with automated vehicles
  • Field trips to organizations working on CAV technology
  • Info sessions with practitioners in the field and University of Minnesota researchers
Get Ready! Youth work readiness training – Brooklyn Park

Get Ready! is pre-employment training designed to provide young people the foundational skills they need to successfully land a job and navigate the work environment. Open to youth ages 14-24 who live or attend school in the northwest suburbs.

National Summer Training Institute

The National Summer Training Institute was established by the United States Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration to develop awareness and interest in construction career opportunities for diverse middle and high school participants. MnDOT partners with the University of Minnesota to hold a two-week NSTI Camp for middle-school students learned about different career opportunities in construction, take field trips and learned about bridge design through hands-on activities.

Minnesota Virtual Academy

MnDOT supports the Local 49 Operating Engineers Pathway for High School Students through the Minnesota Virtual Academy with Minnesota Independent School District 294. This program allows enrolled high school students to learn heavy equipment operation while earning high school credit and exploring career pathways in the trades.

Carpentry - Metro

Carpenters rely on specialized techniques to measure, cut, join, erect and finish materials for jobs of all sizes including building structural frames and concrete forms.

Participants learn about the highway construction industry, earn safety certifications, and connect with employers. Participants receive a starter set of tools upon program completion.

  • Training dates were June 3 - July 3, 2024
Cement Masonry-Labor

Construction laborers use a variety of hand and power tools to hammer, lift, saw and measure materials to build roads and bridges. Cement mason-labor includes building concrete forms and finishing work.

In this six-week program, participants gain training and job placement opportunities in highway construction. Work boots, PPE and construction tools provided. Offered in partnership with DEED.

  • Training dates were April 15 - May 24, 2024
Commercial Drivers' License - Duluth

Commercial truck drivers transport construction materials and supplies to and from construction sites.

Participants gain professional driving skills through classroom and hands-on training. Participants earn a Class A Commercial Driver’s License and qualify for entry-level truck driving positions. Presented in partnership with SOAR Career Solutions and Lake Superior College.

Commercial Driver's License – West Metro

Commercial truck drivers transport construction materials and supplies to and from construction sites.

Participants gain CDL Class A instruction, qualifications, and experience. They also learn about highway safety precautions and OSHA regulations. Presented in partnership with Mind the G.A.P.P.

Construction career orientation - Duluth

Highway construction includes building roads and bridges and involves many trades such as laborers, cement masons, operating engineers, ironworkers, pile drivers, and commercial drivers.

Participants in this training program receive an overview of the construction industry. They get hands-on training in highway construction trades and tour active construction sites. Participants also meet with industry employers. Presented in partnership with SOAR Career Solutions and Building Strong Communities.

Construction career orientation – Rochester

Highway construction includes building roads and bridges and involves many trades such as laborers, cement masons, operating engineers, ironworkers, pile drivers, and commercial drivers.

Participants in this training program will obtain a Trades Readiness Certificate through Rochester Community and Technical College. They will receive hands-on carpentry training and learn to read blueprints and specifications. Participants will receive personal protective equipment and meet with highway construction contractors. Presented in partnership with Workforce Development, Inc.

Commercial Driver's License – Rochester

Commercial truck drivers transport construction materials and supplies to and from construction sites.

Participants in this training program receive classroom and hands-on training to support their attainment of a Class A Commercial Drivers’ License and entry into the highway construction industry. Presented in partnership with Workforce Development, Inc.

Dirt/water/sewer systems-labor - Metro

A laborer in dirt/water/sewer systems assists with construction, repair and maintenance.

This introductory course includes:

  • sewer and water systems
  • utility line and grade consideration
  • installation of gravity flow basic procedures
  • pressure piping system
  • pipe fusion technique exposure

This training also provides opportunities for job placement. Offered in partnership with DEED.

Trades Readiness Program – Rochester

Participants will earn their OSHA 30 and Flaggers Cards, as well as go through essential skills curriculum, construction math, hear from industry speakers, and tour facilities during this 4-week program.

  • Training dates were August 5th to August 30th, 2024
  • Contact: Stephan Hansen, shansen@wdimn.org
Multi-trade apprenticeship readiness

This 12-week program helps participants choose and enter a registered apprenticeship program. Presented in partnership with Building Strong Communities.

Youth programs

Connected Automated Vehicle Camp
MnDOT partners with the University of Minnesota to teach high school students about connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology such as self-driving cars and automated shuttles. Students explore career opportunities in this industry and participate in:

  • Hands-on opportunities with automated vehicles
  • Field trips to organizations working on CAV technology
  • Info sessions with practitioners in the field and University of Minnesota researchers

Get Ready! Youth work readiness training – Brooklyn Park
Get Ready! is pre-employment training designed to provide young people the foundational skills they need to successfully land a job and navigate the work environment. Open to youth ages 14-24 who live or attend school in the northwest suburbs.

National Summer Training Institute
The National Summer Training Institute was established by the United States Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration to develop awareness and interest in construction career opportunities for diverse middle and high school participants. MnDOT partners with the University of Minnesota to hold a two-week NSTI Camp for middle-school students learned about different career opportunities in construction, take field trips and learned about bridge design through hands-on activities.

Minnesota Virtual Academy
MnDOT supports the Local 49 Operating Engineers Pathway for High School Students through the Minnesota Virtual Academy with Minnesota Independent School District 294. This program allows enrolled high school students to learn heavy equipment operation while earning high school credit and exploring career pathways in the trades.

 

 

Read a summary of MnDOT workforce training in 2023: 10 programs, 114 graduates