Business Education Network

Employer-fueled solutions to Minnesota’s workforce shortage
Business Education Network is a private-sector solution to employers’ urgent need to find skilled, qualified and ready workers for jobs available in communities across our state. For the last five years, the Business Education Network (BEN) has worked with local chambers to customize workforce needs for specific regions. Grassroots private sector efforts are met with the successful collaboration of K-12, higher education and community leaders to build sustainable, nimble pathways to local careers or higher education opportunities. Click below to read the full BEN five-year report.
Worker shortage 300,000+
111,000 unemployed

BEN connects employers with middle, high school and college students to make them aware of and prepare them for career opportunities in their communities. Local communities in partnership with local chambers of commerce develop their own programs to respond to local needs. Examples of BEN programs include:




Business Education Network Partners
Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Burnsville Chamber of Commerce
Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce
Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Mankato Growth
Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce
Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce
MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce
Minneapolis Regional Chamber
New Ulm Chamber of Commerce
Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce
Princeton Chamber of Commerce
Redwood Area Chamber of Commerce
River Heights Chamber of Commerce
Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce
Shakopee Area Chamber of Commerce
St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce
Waconia Chamber of Commerce
White Bear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Winona Chamber of Commerce
Want more information?
For more information or to start a Business Education Network in your community, contact Jennifer Byers at 651.292.4673 or jbyers@mnchamber.com.