High School Program (PSEO)

Get a jump start on your career by enrolling in college early!

Students can prepare for an exciting career in advanced manufacturing while in high school! Enroll students in Minnesota Manufactured™ courses to earn college certificates in Production Technologies and Welding Technology. Courses are delivered fully online except for hands-on welding labs delivered at regional college locations.  The online delivery makes this an ideal solution to provide high school students with technical education, regardless of the high school’s size, location, or lab facilities.

Group Of Teenage Students Collaborating On Project In IT Class

Student Benefits

  • Learn foundational skills in advance manufacturing
  • Earn college credit
  • Prepare to test for an industry-recognized credential from the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) test even while in high school!
  • Start career right out of high school with pay 25% higher than other industries or continue their education pathway for advanced careers in welding and fabrication.
industrial worker at sharpening machine tool

How it Works

  • Courses taught online by faculty at accredited colleges. Welding labs are delivered at a regional college location. Alternatively, courses may be delivered through concurrent enrollment where a qualified high school instructor delivers the courses at your high school face-to-face.
  • High schools work with Minnesota Manufactured™ to verify students meet PSEO requirements. The Program Specialist assists with course selection and enrollment and provides ongoing support to students.
  • Payment options include PSEO, contract, or concurrent enrollment.

Learn More

To learn more, contact Jeremy Leffelman, 218-755-4222 (jeremy.leffelman@bemidjistate.edu) Executive Director, or Ching Olson, 218-755-2948 (ching.olson@bemidjistate.edu) Education Program Specialist.

higher salary

The average annual wage is $65,728 for Minnesota manufacturing jobs.

SOURCE: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

High School Program Eligibility Requirements

The Minnesota Manufactured High School Program has options for Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) or concurrent enrollment. Eligibility requirements for interested students are listed below. These requirements are in line with policies outlined by the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota State system.

PSEO (CONTRACTED TUITION) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

10th grade

Must have a minimum 8th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Reading score of 850. Must meet course prerequisite requirements and required course placement assessment (234 Reading, 237 Arithmetic).  High schools must verify that the student is capable of succeeding in college-level courses. The student may take one CTE course. If a student receives a grade of “C” or better in the course, the student may take additional courses in subsequent semesters.

11th grade

Must have a minimum 8th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Reading score of 850, OR must be in the top 1/3 (66%) of class OR have a GPA of 3.0. Must meet course prerequisite requirements and required course placement assessment scores (234 Reading, 237 Arithmetic). High schools must verify that the student is capable of succeeding in college-level courses. If a student does not meet the class rank or GPA requirements, documentation of the student’s readiness and ability to perform college-level work may be accepted by the enrolling college.

12th grade

Must have a minimum 8th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Reading score of 850, OR must be in the top 1/2 (50%) of class OR have a GPA of 2.5. Must meet course prerequisite requirements and required course placement assessment scores (234 Reading, 237 Arithmetic). High schools must verify that the student is capable of succeeding in college-level courses. If a student does not meet the class rank or GPA requirements, documentation of the student’s readiness and ability to perform college-level work may be accepted by the enrolling college.

Start you career today

70% of women would stay in manufacturing if they started their career today.

SOURCE: Deloitte Center for Industry Insights