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Joyce Libra, MS, CRC
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, State Services for the Blind - Brainerd
office
"I talked yesterday with a laid-back farm
boy of few words who attended on Tuesday. When asked
about the Career Day, his response was "Pretty
fun" and then he talked for 20 minutes non-stop
about the hands on activities he got to try. I didn't
think he had that many words in him! This event really
opened up the world for him. Thanks to all of you!"
Ann Hutchison
Pillager High School
" I have heard many great things (from my students)! They loved
the hands-on. "Really cool" One said she doesn't want to
go into cosmetology but it sure was fun. They also said
they saw things that they didn't even know existed--that is definitely what
the program is all about."
Student Survey Comment
" Thank you so much for being such a big
part of my life. You have helped me to know which
career I want to go into."
Read what others are saying
about this program...
Current
Connection, Crow Wing Power newsletter
Shop
Talk, Arrowhead Manufacturers & Fabricators Association
magazine
National
Advisory Committee On Rural Health & Human
Services
Central
Lakes College, Brainerd Dispatch, Kids School Pages
Group Job
Shadowing is an opportunity for students to spend
a day with a member of the business or professional
community and to experience the duties and responsibilities
of a specific job or career. Starting February through
April 2009 students from the 22 area school districts
will have an opportunity to participate in a group
job shadow of their choice. The shadow days will focus
on the six
cluster areas.
Top 10 Job Shadow Choices
1. Nursing
2. Law Enforcement
3. Physical Therapy
4. Veterinarian
5. Cosmetology |
6. DNR
7. Graphic Design
8. Photographer
9. Engineer
10. Medical |
Bridges Career Academies and
Workplace Connection affects more than 1,000 students
in the first year, adds 17 new school districts in
year two
(July 9, 2008) 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 Bridges Career Academies and Workplace
Connection focuses on two areas of development for students.
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 which 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,” said Mary Gottsch Bridges
Workplace Connection Director. “Our program strength
comes from the fact that all stake-holders 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, recognizing
that employers in the region will benefit from exposing
their industries to the broadest audience possible .
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 thru senior
students on November 18, 2008
- 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
- Establish summer internships for students based on
six general career fields.
The Bridges Career Academies and Workplace
Connection are funded in part by the following funding
organizations: Blandin Foundation, Initiative Foundation,
Carl Perkins Central Lakes Consortium Funding, SPEDCO
Economic Development Foundation of the St. Paul Foundation,
Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation, and
Crow Wing Power, and are supported by the Brainerd Lakes
Chamber, Central Lakes College, Brainerd Area Jaycees,
Mille Lacs Electric, Brainerd Rotary Club, Brainerd Sertoma
Club, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundationand participating
school districts.
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