Minnesota’s Advanced Manufacturing Workforce: Research Findings and Strategic Insights

Minnesota's advanced manufacturing sector is changing rapidly, creating new workforce challenges and opportunities across medical technology, semiconductors, sustainable plastics, and clean technology. The strategic insights below translate Stratasight's research for the Minnesota Sustainable Plastics Innovation Regional Engine (M-SPIRE) into practical implications for employers, educators, industry associations, and policymakers.

Manufacturing Needs More Than Engineers and Production Workers

What We Found

Engineering and production occupations play critical roles in advanced manufacturing, but they represent only part of the industry’s workforce. The M-SPIRE Advanced Manufacturing Skills Analysis found demand across all major occupational groups, with management occupations being the most commonly advertised type. Demand was also very high for occupations related to architecture and engineering, business and financial operations, production, and computer and mathematical occupations.

Among specific detailed occupations, demand is indeed highest for Industrial Engineers, Other Production Workers, and Mechanical Engineers—but it is nearly as high for Marketing Managers, Other Computer Occupations, and Software Developers. This breadth reflects the range of work required to operate advanced manufacturing businesses. Engineers help design products and improve processes, production workers produce and inspect—but companies also need people in many professions to manage, market, support, and deliver products and operations.

Advanced manufacturing offers opportunities across education levels—from positions requiring a high school diploma, GED, or less to roles requiring associate, bachelor’s, and advanced degrees. The research therefore points to multiple pathways into the industry, not only traditional four-year engineering programs.

Why It Matters

The perception that advanced manufacturing careers are primarily for engineers or production workers can unintentionally limit the industry's future workforce. Students may overlook rewarding career opportunities because they assume manufacturing is not aligned with their interests or educational goals.

Expanding awareness of the industry's wide range of career pathways can help employers reach new talent, enable educators to better connect students with opportunities, and strengthen Minnesota's workforce pipeline. A broader understanding of manufacturing careers also helps ensure the industry attracts people with diverse experiences, interests, and talents.