Microelectronics Workforce Partnership
The Microelectronics Workforce Partnership is a demand-driven collaboration to build the skilled workforce needed to support growth in microelectronics manufacturing across the Minneapolis–Saint Paul (MSP) region. Employers are working together with education, workforce, government, and community partners to co-create solutions aligned with their shared hiring and training needs.
Partnership approach
Rather than competing for the same limited talent pool, these companies are working together to expand the regional pipeline of skilled workers by aggregating hiring demand and aligning training, recruitment, and upskilling efforts around shared workforce needs.
Employers started in early 2026 by assessing where they had the largest shared hiring needs, identifying areas of overlapping demand, and drafting shared job descriptions. The initial focus of the Microelectronics Workforce Partnership is on two manufacturing roles with a significant number of expected job openings: operator-assemblers and equipment maintenance technicians. Future phases may include additional manufacturing roles.
The next phase focuses on collaborating with training providers, funders, government agencies, and community partners to advance both immediate actions and scalable long-term solutions, from outreach to recent graduates and current job seekers to new training and career pathway programs.
Partnership leaders
At the core of the partnership are a set of microelectronics manufacturers with overlapping talent needs, including:
- Collins Aerospace
- Medtronic
- Philips
- Polar Semiconductor
- Seagate Technology
- TEL Manufacturing and Engineering of America
These employers are working alongside higher education institutions and K-12 education partners, workforce and training providers, state and local government, and community organizations to develop new workforce solutions. Key partners include the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Council, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the WorkWell MN coalition, K-12 Career and Technical Education program leaders, and metro area workforce development boards.
GREATER MSP serves as the conductor of the partnership, coordinating employers and partners, supporting pre-competitive data sharing, and aligning resources to move from strategy to action.
Why this work matters
Microelectronics manufacturing — spanning semiconductors, medical technology, aerospace, and precision manufacturing — is a cornerstone of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul regional economy. Employer demand for skilled talent is strong and growing, driven by technology advances, reshoring, and major public and private investment.
At the same time, traditional workforce approaches are no longer sufficient. Job postings on company websites and recruiters at job fairs aren’t reaching candidates in the volumes needed, and training providers struggle to understand employers’ current workforce needs. In most cases, a single employer’s hiring demand is not enough to support a dedicated course offering or customized training program. No one employer can solve this alone, and no training provider can effectively plan in isolation.
The Microelectronics Workforce Partnership represents a new model for talent development in MSP: employer-driven, data-informed, and collaborative. By starting with shared demand and building coordinated solutions, the partnership strengthens regional competitiveness while expanding access to high-quality careers.
Foundation and early outcomes
This effort builds on the success of the Minnesota CHIPS Coalition, launched in 2023 to strengthen Minnesota’s semiconductor industry and position the state to compete for federal CHIPS and Science Act funding. Through collaboration among employers, educational institutions, workforce organizations, government, and community partners, the CHIPS Coalition demonstrated the effectiveness of a coordinated, sector-based approach to workforce and industry growth.
Contact
Kristin Guild, GREATER MSP’s Director of Talent Solutions, Kristin.guild@greatermsp.org.