May 3 is National Skilled Trades Day and draws attention to the importance of skilled craftsmen and the essential work they do in the United States. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation’s Workforce Development grants support the skilled trades and the businesses and industries they serve. The grants assist with education, training and career awareness initiatives that address regional workforce needs and gaps emerging in industries and schools.

Skilled trades recently supported by agency grants include:

• Commercial drivers licensing.
• Welding.
• Manufacturing machining.
• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining.
• Heavy equipment operations and rigging.

Regional employers have upskilled their incumbent workers, and job-ready workers were developed to fill job openings for assemblers, fabricators, welders, heavy equipment operators, maintenance mechanics, auto technicians and electricians.

“Skilled trades workers across our region are responsible for keeping the area’s industries going, whether that be manufacturing, logging, mining or construction,” said Commissioner Ida Rukavina, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “These workers build and renovate our homes and buildings. They repair our cars and drive commercial vehicles to transport goods and supplies in and out of the region. They drive our children to and from school, and they build and maintain our infrastructure. The skilled trades workers of northeastern Minnesota are highly qualified people who we all rely on in our daily lives.”

Email Danae Beaudette for Workforce Development grant information or call her at 218-735-3022.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation’s grants are funded through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry.