Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis College launches program to train women for jobs in trades
A Twin Cities college wants to help put women in high-demand, good-paying jobs that might not be on their radar, and much of the cost of taking classes and getting trained will be covered thanks to a new pilot program.
Working with her hands feels natural for Rachel Fulgham. The former baker loves to create from scratch. But a few years ago, she traded in flour and ovens for steel and mills.
She’s learning to be a CNC machinist at Minneapolis College. They program large machines to cut, shape, and design parts. While the mill was hard at work carving a chunk of metal into a vice stop, she used a file to clean up one that was recently finished to its exact specifications. Ensuring the final product is perfect is a part of the process Fulgham appreciates.
“My fiancé is a machinist and so for years, hearing him talk about his day, I thought ‘I could do that’,” she said. She’s out to prove it at Minneapolis College, a school out to prove that women have a place in the trades.
“It is broadening that menu of career options for them in a meaningful way,” said Vincent Thomas, the Dean of Business and Economics and Trade Technologies.
Several women are currently grinding their way to becoming welders. Other trade programs at the college include HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), bicycle assembly and repair technician, aircraft maintenance technician and CNC machinist.
This semester, Fulgham is the only woman in her class. “It’s doable, but it would have been nice to have other women in there and made me feel less alone and less singled out, maybe a little bit,” she said.
Filling the trade programs with more women is a constant mission for the college. “If women students look at the occupation, or they look at our students and they don’t see anyone who looks like them, or they don’t see other women finishing the program, starting a career, having success, it becomes this difficult cycle to break,” said Thomas.
To spark some change, a new pilot program at the college was introduced called “We Thrive Women in the Trades.” The program received $200,000 in funding from the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. The goal is to recruit women while also helping pay for their tuition, transportation and even childcare.
“If your primary concern is cost, or affordability, or going into to debt to finance your education, this program will literally remove that obstacle,” said Thomas.
Within two years, graduates will be certified for their respective trade where future worksites often mirror the classroom they just left.
Adrianna Affolter is a CNC machinist at Johnstech across town. She builds microchip testers using familiar equipment and training from her time at Minneapolis College. What started as an internship is now her full-time job.
“I love what I do for a living. I want to keep learning . . . going back to school, getting my engineering degree,” she said.
If her success wasn’t enough encouragement, she hopes the new pilot program motivates women to give trades a chance.
“It’s just a great opportunity,” she said. “There is no excuse. If you want to do it, go for it. Here is the help.”
Already following Affolter’s path is Fulgham. In a few months, her internship at Johnstech will also turn into a job, and more importantly, a career.
“I’m really looking forward to just being part of the CNC industry and doing it full time for hopefully the rest of my life,” Fulgham said.
We Thrive Women in the Trades starts in Fall 2025. To learn more about the pilot program, click here.
Investigators in north Minneapolis are looking into the cause of a house fire that injured an adult and required a dog to be rescued on Saturday afternoon.
Crews responded to the fire at the one-and-a-half-story home on the 2000 block of Logan Avenue North around 12:33 p.m. They were able to “quickly extinguish” flames they found in a bedroom on the first floor, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department.
Officials said the adult was treated for burns to their hands and the rescued dog was not harmed.
According to the fire department, the home was “deemed uninhabitable” due to damage from the blaze.
The American Red Cross helped two adults and three children after the incident.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – One person is recovering from serious injuries after the Minneapolis Fire Department rescued them from a burning home.
Minneapolis Thanksgiving fire
What we know:
The Minneapolis Fire Department said its crews battled a fire at a two-story home in the 3600 block of Garfield Avenue South around 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day.
Crews then used a ladder to rescue the person from the second story of the burning home.
That person, identified only as an adult, was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
A dog died after crews rescued it from the home, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department.
What we don’t know:
Authorities have not shared any details on what may have caused the fire.
Details on the rescued adult were not specified.
The Source: This story uses information shared by the Minneapolis Fire Department.
November 26, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente has announced significant investments in advanced restoration technology and enhanced service capabilities to better serve Minneapolis-area property owners facing water, fire, and mold damage. The expansion represents the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering comprehensive restoration solutions using industry-leading equipment and proven methodologies.
The technology enhancement initiative focuses on upgrading the company’s restoration equipment arsenal and implementing advanced techniques designed to restore damaged properties to their pre-loss condition more efficiently. These improvements complement the company’s existing IICRC certifications in water damage restoration, mold remediation, and fire damage restoration, strengthening their position as a comprehensive restoration service provider in the Minneapolis market.
SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente has served the Minneapolis community for over ten years, building expertise in addressing the region’s specific restoration challenges. The company’s approach combines emergency response capabilities with reconstruction services, providing property owners with integrated solutions from initial damage assessment through complete restoration.
The investment in advanced technology addresses the increasing complexity of restoration projects in the Minneapolis area, where properties frequently experience damage from severe weather conditions, frozen pipes, and seasonal flooding. The enhanced capabilities enable the company to handle both residential and commercial restoration projects with greater precision and efficiency.
“We recognize that property damage situations require both immediate response and long-term restoration expertise,” said Scott Clemente, Owner of SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente. “Our investment in advanced technology ensures we can provide Minneapolis property owners with the most effective restoration solutions available.”
The company’s comprehensive approach includes direct communication with insurance adjusters and thorough damage documentation, streamlining the claims process for property owners. This service model has positioned the business as a preferred provider among insurance professionals and property owners throughout the Minneapolis metropolitan area.
SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente maintains 24/7 emergency response capabilities, averaging 60-minute response times for urgent situations. The company’s team of over 65 employees provides coverage across downtown Minneapolis and central Minneapolis neighborhoods, addressing water damage from burst pipes, sewage backups, storm flooding, and equipment failures.
The technology expansion also enhances the company’s mold remediation capabilities, addressing moisture-related issues that commonly affect Minneapolis properties due to the region’s climate conditions. Advanced moisture detection and air quality monitoring equipment enable more precise identification and remediation of mold problems in basements, crawl spaces, and other vulnerable areas.
Fire damage restoration services benefit from upgraded soot removal technology and enhanced deodorization capabilities. The improved equipment allows for more effective smoke odor elimination and water damage mitigation from firefighting efforts, reducing overall restoration timelines for affected properties.
The company’s damage restoration services encompass both mitigation and reconstruction phases, providing property owners with continuity throughout the restoration process. This integrated approach eliminates the need for multiple contractors and ensures consistent quality standards from initial emergency response through final reconstruction.
As a family-operated business, SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente continues to prioritize community relationships and customer service excellence. The technology investment reinforces the company’s commitment to maintaining industry leadership in restoration capabilities while preserving the personalized service approach that has defined their reputation in the Minneapolis market.
The enhanced technology capabilities position SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente to address evolving restoration challenges with greater precision, efficiency, and reliability. These advancements strengthen their ability to respond quickly to complex property damage scenarios and reinforce their role as a trusted restoration partner for Minneapolis-area property owners facing unexpected water, fire, or mold damage situations. By combining certified expertise with cutting-edge tools, the team continues to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes that safeguard properties.
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For more information about SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente, contact the company here:
SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente
Scott Clemente
(651) 564-9277
scott@servpro10278.com
1770 Hennepin Ave B1, Minneapolis, MN 55403
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