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Program linking students and jobs considered a success; schools added
Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection has affected more than 1,000 students in the first year and added 17 school districts in Year Two.
Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection provides a free-flowing communication link between K-12 and higher education institutions, employers and communities; in an effort to help our next generation of workforce become better prepared to meet the demands of our area employers.
The Career Academies is a sequence of courses focusing on career pathways that begin in high school and are taken for dual college and high school credit. Curriculum is developed through collaboration with college instructors, high school instructors and industry representatives. The Workplace Connection, coordinated by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, is an intermediary between schools and business to integrate work-based learning through Job Shadowing, Internships, Teachers in the Workplace, and a Career Exploration Day.
Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection successes for its first academic school year 2007-2008 were recently presented to the Governor's Rural Economic Development team by key stakeholders in this program that include:
¥ 1,415 college credits were earned by students in five school districts, equating to more than $200,000 in college tuition savings.
¥ 227 student job shadow placements in high-pay, high-demand areas of engineering, business, healthcare, manufacturing, small engine, trades, and law enforcement.
¥ Career Exploration day that served 762 students from six school districts benefiting from 57 career exhibits and 12 college course exhibitors.
"We are very proud of our community and what has been accomplished," Mary Gottsch, Bridges Workplace Connection director, said in a news release. "Our program strength comes from the fact that all stakeholders are working together, including Central Lakes College, area school districts, business, parents, and the chamber. This is something that has not been replicated anywhere else in the state. We are focused on helping prepare students for the jobs of the future."
With this momentum, Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection has taken an aggressive approach to the 2008-09 school year by expanding services to all 22 school districts within the Central Lakes Perkins Funding.
These districts include: Aitkin, Crosby Ironton, Bertha-Hewitt, Brainerd, Browerville, Eagle Valley, Freshwater Education District, Henning, Isle, Little Falls, Long Prairie Grey Eagle, Menahga, Onamia, Pequot Lakes, Pierz, Pillager, Pine River-Backus, Sebeka, Staples Motley, Swanville, Upsala, Verndale, and Wadena Deer Creek.
Program offerings will include:
¥ Career Exploration day for sophomore through senior students on Nov. 18.
¥ Up to 10 group job shadow days based on student interest and high pay occupations.
¥ Career trends presentations, based on programs of study, to parents and business groups in participating schools.
¥ Establishment of summer internships for students based on six general career fields.
The Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection are funded in part bythe Blandin Foundation, Initiative Foundation, Central Lakes Perkins Funding and Crow Wing Power, and are supported by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Central Lakes College, and participating school districts.
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