Minnesota State Selected by NASA for $1.5 Million Aerospace Workforce Hub
ST. PAUL, Minn., August 20, 2026 –NASA has selected the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence as one of seven Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce State Hubs in the nation and the only hub located in the Midwest.
The NASA State Hubs initiative is designed to address a growing national need for skilled technical talent as the aerospace economy expands and the nation advances priorities related to human space exploration, advanced manufacturing, propulsion systems, and aerospace innovation.
Through a three-year, $1.5 million initiative, Minnesota State will convene colleges, aerospace employers, workforce development organizations, and economic development partners to expand industry-aligned education, training, apprenticeships, and work-based learning opportunities that prepare students for high-demand aerospace careers.
“We are thrilled that this funding further solidifies the role of Minnesota State as the backbone of the state’s workforce development system and bolsters our commitment to preparing students for successful and meaningful careers,” said Scott Olson, chancellor of Minnesota State. “Minnesota State is uniquely positioned to help students connect their talents and aspirations with high-wage, in-demand jobs while supporting Minnesota’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors.”
The Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence will lead the NASA State Hub in Minnesota by establishing a statewide system designed to rapidly produce job-ready aerospace technicians for NASA suppliers and the broader aerospace industry. The hub will create pathways from high school career and technical programs into community and technical college programs, registered apprenticeships, industry credentials, and direct employment. The initiative will align training in welding, precision machining, automation, robotics, avionics, nondestructive testing, and systems integration with employer demand. It will also incorporate NASA mission content, security-clearance readiness modules, work-based learning experiences, and faculty professional development opportunities.
"This designation by NASA is both a validation of the leadership of Minnesota State in workforce innovation and a catalyst for what comes next. Through the Transportation Center of Excellence, we are uniquely positioned to convene our colleges, industry, and economic development partners to build scalable, industry-aligned pathways into high-demand aerospace careers," said Shannon Bryant, executive director of workforce and economic development at Minnesota State. "This initiative strengthens our ability to connect talent to opportunity, and to expand apprenticeships, work-based learning, and technical training that directly meet employer needs. Just as importantly, it places Minnesota at the forefront of a national effort to develop the skilled technical workforce essential to advancing aerospace innovation.”
Over the three-year period, the initiative aims to:
- Enroll 1,800 to 2,400 students in aerospace-aligned pathways and award 500 to 700 aerospace-specific credentials.
- Establish 140 to 200 new registered apprenticeships and internships.
- Reach 1,000 to 1,400 high school students through career awareness and hands-on learning opportunities.
- Provide professional development for educators while strengthening aerospace-focused curriculum statewide.
“This award is a tremendous opportunity for Minnesota and for the students who will help build the future of aerospace,” said Shawn Haag, executive director of the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence. “By bringing together education providers, employers, workforce agencies, and NASA partners, we will create a coordinated, statewide approach that gives students access to high-demand careers while helping employers meet critical workforce needs tied to aerospace, space exploration, advanced manufacturing, and national security.”
According to Lightcast data for 2024-2026, Minnesota employers posted more than 8,000 aerospace-related job openings across more than 830 companies, with 99 percent requiring less than a bachelor’s degree. The average salary for these positions exceeds $62,000 annually and demand continues to grow in areas such as machining, aircraft maintenance, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
Core college partners include Dakota County Technical College, Pine Technical & Community College, and Ridgewater College. Industry and workforce partners include North Wind, Collins Aerospace, Hartzell Aerospace Welding, PAR Systems, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Minnesota Space Grant Consortium, NASA Glenn Research Center, NASA Langley Research Center, and others.
Minnesota State was selected alongside organizations in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Utah.
About Minnesota State
Minnesota State includes 26 colleges and seven universities serving approximately 270,000 students making it the third-largest system of two-year colleges and four-year universities in the United States. Together, Minnesota State institutions provide accessible, high-quality education and workforce training that support the economic vitality of Minnesota and prepare learners for successful careers and lifelong learning.
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