Transportation Works! Helps Students Get Their Future in Gear
High school students from across southern Minnesota recently explored exciting career opportunities through Transportation Works! Get Your Future In Gear!, a two-day summer experience designed to introduce students in grades 9-12 to the many career pathways available within the transportation industry.
Hosted by South Central Service Cooperative and supported by industry, education, and workforce development partners, the program provides students with interactive tours, hands-on activities, and opportunities to connect directly with transportation professionals. Transportation Works! highlights a variety of high-demand, high-wage career fields, including automotive engineering, heavy equipment operation, auto body and collision repair, medium and heavy truck technology, diesel and heavy equipment repair, and aviation and drone technology.
The immersive experience allows students to see firsthand how transportation professionals contribute to the region's infrastructure, economy, and future workforce needs while helping them discover careers they may not have previously considered.
One student participant, Morristown High School junior Madalynn Hackney, embraced the opportunity to explore careers that align with her interests and strengths. During a visit to an active construction site, Hackney found herself drawn to the work.
“I’m an adrenaline junkie, so I was looking over the edge and smiling,” Hackney shared with KEYC News.
Hackney said the experience helped confirm her interest in pursuing a hands-on career after graduation.
“I want to be hands-on. I want to be engineering things,” she said.
Industry professionals who participated in the event emphasized the growing need for skilled workers across transportation sectors. Todd Kjolstad, a construction supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), highlighted the wide range of career opportunities available.
“We certainly need operators. We need, like you’ve seen today, carpenters, iron workers,” Kjolstad said. “There’s a lot of things associated with this industry and there’s a lot of jobs and those jobs pay fairly well.”
Kjolstad also noted that strong communication and math skills are valuable assets for students considering careers in transportation.
The automotive industry faces similar workforce needs. Jay Winters, an autobody instructor at South Central College, explained that advancements in vehicle technology are creating new opportunities for skilled technicians.
“Cars are getting more and more sophisticated,” Winters said. “These younger students are high-tech, understand computers, and those are the kinds of skills that the industries really need.”
Transportation Works! was created to help students connect their interests and talents with rewarding careers that keep communities moving. Through direct engagement with employers, educators, and industry experts, students gain valuable insight into the education, training, and skills needed to succeed in transportation-related occupations.
Hackney encouraged other students to remain open-minded as they consider their future plans.
“Don’t be pressured to figure out what you want. You can always change your job. You can always go back to school. Just be open to looking into new opportunities,” she said.
Programs like Transportation Works! continue to play an important role in building awareness of transportation careers while helping meet workforce demands across Minnesota. By providing meaningful, hands-on experiences, the program empowers students to explore rewarding career pathways and take the next step toward their futures.
Thank You to Our Partners
Transportation Works! would not be possible without the generous support and participation of industry, education, and workforce development partners who are committed to developing Minnesota's future workforce. Their willingness to open their doors, share their expertise, and provide hands-on learning opportunities helped make this year's experience both engaging and impactful for students.
South Central Service Cooperative extends its sincere appreciation to:
- North Star Aviation
- South Central College
- Unique Classic Cars
- Guentzel Family Farms
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Crystal Valley
- Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)
- Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence
- South Central Workforce Council
- Truck Center Companies
- Fly Mankato
- Mankato Regional Airport
Together, these partners helped students discover the wide variety of opportunities available within the transportation industry and inspired the next generation of skilled professionals.
KEYC News Coverage
Transportation Works! was recently featured by KEYC News, highlighting the hands-on experiences students received throughout the program and the growing demand for skilled workers across Minnesota's transportation industries. The coverage showcased students exploring active job sites, learning from industry professionals, and gaining a firsthand look at careers that offer strong wages, advancement opportunities, and long-term career stability.