Students get hands-on experience as Iowa manufacturing sees job loss

Jordyn Counts, left, and Remy Vasquez-Smith, both seniors at Knoxville High School take part in a robotics program hosted by 3M at the school, Sept. 26, 2025. Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register

Alejandro Cardenas welds steel for a refrigeration unit at Borgen Systems in Des Moines, Sept. 29, 2025. Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register

Terri Reinholdt runs a machine at 3M in Knoxville, Sept. 26, 2025. Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register

Brandon Vaske moves a roll of adhesive at 3M in Knoxville, Sept. 26, 2025. Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register

Terri Reinholdt runs a machine at 3M in Knoxville, Sept. 26, 2025. Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register

A laser cuts steel for a refrigeration unit at Borgen Systems in Des Moines, Sept. 29, 2025. Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register

Fareway grocery stores use Bor