Career Pathways in the NORTHFORCE Region
Welcome to the world of educational and working opportunities in the bustling industrial community of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Welders, A&P Mechanics, and Machinists are in extremely high demand with no signs of slowing down. Here you will find some programs and employers ready to employ your technical skill set.
Training & Academic Institutions
Lake Superior College in Duluth offers over a hundred certificates, degrees, and courses from Rapid Prototyping and Design (3D Printing) to Fire Fighting and everything in between.
Mesabi Range College in Virginia & Eveleth offers diverse programs, degrees, and certificates in the heart of Minnesota’s Iron Range. Mesabi Range is one of five institutions in the Advanced Minnesota system offering in-demand training across the Iron Range.
Northwood Technical College (formerly WITC) in Superior offers flexible industrial programs, including apprenticeship associate degrees. These programs allow students to receive advanced standing credit for previous apprenticeship work and then create a unique associate degree.
Welding
Local Programs
Lake Superior College Welding Programs (Duluth, MN)
- Welding Technologist (1 yr)
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Production (1 yr/18 credits)
- Welding Diploma (2 yrs)
- Advanced Welding Technologist Associates Degree (2 yrs)
Mesabi Range College Welding Programs (Eveleth & Virginia, MN)
Northwood Technical College Welding Program (Superior, WI)
Local Welding Employers
- BendTec (Duluth, MN)
- Builtrite Handlers (Two Harbors, MN)
- CABS-ROPS & Attachments (Iron River, WI)
- Ziegler Caterpillar (Buhl, MN)
- Cleveland-Cliffs (Hibbing, MN)
- IPS Crane (Duluth, MN)
- TriTec (Virginia, MN)
- Minntac Mine (Mt. Iron, MN)
- Worldwide Machining & Welding (Superior, WI)
A & P (Aviation) Mechanics
Local Program
Lake Superior College Aviation Maintenance Technology (Duluth, MN)
Local A&P Mechanic Employers
- AAR Corp. (Duluth, MN)
- Cirrus Aircraft (Duluth, MN)
- Monaco Air Duluth (Duluth, MN)
Machinists
Local Programs
Lake Superior College Machining Programs (Duluth, MN)
- Advanced Machine Production Technologist (2 yrs)
- CNC Programmer Diploma (2 yrs)
- CNC Programmer Associate’s Degree (2 yrs)
Northwood Technical College Machining Program (Superior, WI)
Local Machinist Employers
- AW Kuettel & Sons (Duluth, MN)
- Altec Industries (Duluth, MN)
- Cirrus Aircraft (Duluth, MN)
- GPM Inc. (Duluth, MN)
- Industrial Welders & Machinists (Duluth, MN)
- L&M Radiator / Mesabi (Hibbing, MN)
- Northland Machine Inc. (Grand Rapids, MN)
- Precision Points Machining (Proctor, MN)
- Worldwide Machining & Welding (Superior, WI)
