As technology continues to evolve, the demand for skilled professionals grows. Whether you’re a teen exploring career options or an adult looking to transition into tech, Minnesota offers a variety of resources to help you get started. Here are seven programs designed to provide hands-on experience, training, and career support.
1. First Lego League
Ages: 4–16 (varies by country)
Managed by: High Tech Kids (Minnesota)
First Lego League introduces children to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through hands-on learning with LEGO bricks. The program is divided into three levels:
- Discover (Ages 4–6) – Early exposure to STEM concepts
- Explore (Ages 6–10) – Team-based problem-solving
- Challenge (Ages 9–16) – Advanced robotics and coding
Participants engage in competitions, requiring registration fees and LEGO kits. Costs vary, so it’s best to check with High Tech Kids or the official First Lego League website for details.
2. Takoda Institute
Location: 1845 East Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404
The Takoda Institute of Higher Education, a licensed career school, offers industry-specific training for in-demand fields, including IT. Programs range from three weeks to six months and cover CompTIA certifications, from IT Fundamentals to Security+.
Most students attend at no cost thanks to public and private grants.
3. BDPA Twin Cities
BDPA Twin Cities (BDPA-TC) provides underrepresented youth with training in programming, web development, and software applications. The organization offers:
- High School Technology Program (Feb–May) – HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React
- High School Computer Competition (May–Aug) – Prepares students for BDPA’s national coding competition
- IT Exploration Camp (July) – Hands-on experience with drones, Raspberry Pi, and 3D printing
- Computer Youth Technology Camp – IT fundamentals for younger students
- Professional Development – Resume workshops, mock interviews, networking events
BDPA-TC also connects students with mentorship opportunities and Fortune 500 field trips to provide real-world industry exposure.
4. Smart North
Smart North, a Minnesota-based nonprofit, promotes digital equity through Community Tech Hubs. These hubs provide:
- Free tech training and youth-led support
- State-of-the-art tools like 3D printers and digital design software
- Workforce training for underrepresented communities
📍 Locations:
- Minneapolis Tech Hub – 310 E. 38th St., Suite 311, Minneapolis, MN 55409
- Grand Rapids Tech Hub – 601 SW 7th St., Grand Rapids, MN 55744
- Deer River Tech Hub – 1049 Comstock Dr., Deer River, MN 56636
5. CrunchLabs
Founded by former NASA engineer Mark Rober, CrunchLabs offers hands-on STEM learning through subscription boxes.
- Build Box (Ages 8–13) – Monthly build-it-yourself projects with educational videos
- Hack Pack (Ages 14+) – Bi-monthly programmable robots to learn coding and robotics
While not exclusive to Minnesota, these subscriptions provide a strong foundation in engineering and problem-solving.
6. Grow with Google Certificates
Google offers professional certificates in fields such as:
- IT Support
- Data Analytics
- Project Management
- UX Design
These self-paced online courses, available through Coursera, require financial investment, though Google provides financial aid for eligible learners.
7. Minnesota STEM Partnership
Minnesota STEM Partnership focuses on closing the diversity gap in STEM fields by offering:
- Coding boot camps
- Robotics competitions
- Workshops on AI, cybersecurity, and software development
The program is open to all ages, with many free or low-cost options.
Getting Started
Breaking into the tech industry doesn’t require a traditional degree. These resources provide affordable, hands-on learning to help Minnesotans of all ages gain the skills needed for a successful tech career.
Explore the options that best fit your interests and start your journey into Minnesota’s growing tech industry today!