Civil Rights

Multi-trades apprenticeship preparation

A 12-week program to help women, people of color, and veterans choose and enter a registered apprenticeship program. Offered in partnership with Building Strong Communities.

• For more information visit https://buildingstrong.org/about/  
• Contact Rick Martagon, rmartagon@buildingstrong.org

Commercial Driver's License - American Indian 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.

• Enrollment is ongoing
• Contact Kimberly Ben-Haim, kimberlyb@takoda.org

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.

• Enrollment is ongoing
• Contact: Pierre Rhodes, prhodes@mtgmn.org

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: April 14 - May 23, 2025
• Contact: Sylvia Garcia, Sylvia.Garcia@state.state.mn.us

Carpentry, three locations

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.

• Three training sessions are expected to take place in summer 2025
• Contact Adam Marks, Adam.Marks@state.mn.us

Multi-trades orientation - Construct Tomorrow

A two-day information fair to promote careers in construction trades, including highway construction. Experienced professionals talk about working in transportation and the trades. Hands-on activities simulate work on a job site. Offered in partnership with Construct Tomorrow and Duluth 218 Trades.

• Event takes place March 11 and 12, 2025, in Duluth
• Contact:  Amy Perez Ortiz, Amy.Perez.Ortiz@state.mn.us

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.

• Enrollment is on a semester basis
• Contact Jerris Cross, Jerris.Cross@state.mn.us

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 students. MnDOT partners with the University of Minnesota to hold a two-week NSTI Camp for middle-school students. Students learn about different career opportunities in construction, take field trips and learn about bridge design through hands-on activities.

• NSTI Camp is expected to take place in July 2025
• Contact the Business and program development team, ocr.dot@state.mn.us

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. CAV Camp includes hands-on opportunities with automated vehicles, field trips to organizations working on CAV technology, and info sessions with practitioners in the field and University of Minnesota researchers.

• CAV Camp is expected to take place in August 2025
• Contact Jerris Cross, Jerris.Cross@state.mn.us

MnDOT On-the-Job Training Supportive Services (OJT SS) program graduates have received training in construction fundamentals. They possess the general requirements for entry level employment in the highway construction industry such as high school diploma or equivalency, drivers' license, and legal ability to work in the United States.

Employers interested in recruiting graduates from MnDOT OJT SS programs should contact the training program coordinators listed below to share relevant job opportunities.

*Note: prime contractors on MnDOT projects with on-the-job training goals are eligible for hourly reimbursement up to the goal of the contract. MnDOT may pay bonus incentives if the OJT trainee is a graduate of a MnDOT OJT SS program and if the contractor assigned that trainee a mentor (more information at: On-the-Job Training Program - Civil Rights - MnDOT).

Carpenters

Contact:

• Katie Jaeckels (kjaeckels@carpenterstraininginstitute.org)
• Dwayne Benson (dbenson@carpenterstraininginstitute.org)

Cement Masons

Contact:

• Moke Eaglefeathers (eaglefeathers@training633.org)
• Sylvia Garcia (sylvia.garcia@state.mn.us)

Commercial Driver's License

For the Metro area, contact:

• Kimberly Ben-Haim (kimberlyb@takoda.org)
• Pierre Rhodes (prhodes@mtgmn.org)

For Northern Minnesota, contact:

• Kelsey Rogers Kennedy (programs@mycche.org)
• Heath Boe (heath.boe@minnesotanorth.edu)
• Bailey Wothe (cdl@minnesota.edu)

For Southern Minnesota, contact:

• Stephan Hansen (shansen@wdimn.org)
• Tim Jones (tjones@swmnpic.org)

Laborers

Contact:

• Sylvia Garcia (Sylvia.Garcia@state.state.mn.us)
• Stephan Hansen (shansen@wdimn.org)

Multi-trades apprenticeship preparation

Contact:

• Rick Martagon (rmartagon@buildingstrong.org)

Operating Engineers

Contact:

• Steve Tuhy (stuhy@local49training.org)