NASA’s $1.5 Million Workforce Hub Has a Rosemount Connection

TL;DR: Minnesota’s new NASA workforce initiative includes Dakota County Technical College and North Wind, the company behind Rosemount’s aerospace testing campus. The goal is to help students prepare for technical aerospace careers, including jobs that don’t require a four-year degree.

A career connected to space exploration could start with welding, machining or hands-on training right here in Dakota County.

NASA has selected Minnesota for a three-year, $1.5 million aerospace workforce initiative. Minnesota is one of seven participating states and the only hub in the Midwest, according to Minnesota State’s announcement.

For South Metro residents, two names on the partner list stand out: Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount and North Wind, the company developing the city’s new aerospace testing campus. Both are listed on the Minnesota hub’s official website.

What does a NASA workforce hub do?

The program connects schools, technical colleges and employers to help people prepare for aerospace jobs.

NASA’s State Hubs initiative focuses on skilled technical careers that do not require a bachelor’s degree. Minnesota’s approach connects high school career classes with college training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.

DCTC’s role centers on welding and advanced manufacturing. Other college partners bring additional specialties: Pine Technical & Community College contributes machining, automation and robotics, while Ridgewater College contributes nondestructive testing—methods used to inspect parts without damaging them. NASA’s Minnesota program overview explains how those pieces fit together.

For a student who likes building things or figuring out how equipment works, those skills could offer a way into the aerospace industry.

How North Wind’s Rosemount project fits in

South Metro Scoop previously covered Rosemount’s approval of the first phase of North Wind’s aerospace campus.

That project, called the Aerospace and Hypersonic Research and Testing Complex, is planned for a roughly 61-acre UMore Park site. Its first phase includes a wind tunnel building and two supporting mechanical buildings.

North Wind’s participation in the workforce hub creates a direct connection between that growing local industry and the statewide training effort. The company is one of several industry partners, alongside Collins Aerospace, Aerospace Welding Minneapolis and PAR Systems. See the hub’s partner list.

The $1.5 million award supports the workforce initiative. It should not be confused with construction funding for North Wind’s campus.

What opportunities are planned?

Over three years, Minnesota State says the initiative aims to enroll 1,800 to 2,400 students in aerospace-related training pathways and establish 140 to 200 new registered apprenticeships and internships.

Those are statewide goals, rather than positions promised specifically at North Wind or DCTC. The effort also includes high school career exploration and training for educators. Minnesota State outlines the program’s goals here.

Where students and families can learn more

The national initiative held its kickoff in September. NASA said participating teams would spend the following months finalizing their approaches and beginning to deliver programs and resources. Read NASA’s rollout update.

For local students, parents and educators, the Minnesota Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hub website is the starting point for updates. It also lists program contact Shawn Haag at Shawn.Haag@dctc.edu for questions about the initiative.