Home » Career Insititute

Category Archives: Career Insititute

Technology and Trades on the Prairie 2019 Career Institute

Technology and Trades on the Prairie 2019 Career Institute
Technology and Trades on the Prairie (TTOP) is committed to providing unique opportunities for students to explore, experience, and excel in the technical skills needed for our workforce, today and tomorrow. We envision meeting regional workforce needs through industry, education, and community partnerships committed to increasing student awareness of technology and trades careers in Southwest Minnesota. One of TTOP’s premier events is its annual Career Institute.

TTOP’s 2019 Career Institute (3rd Annual) will be held at the Orrin S. Estebo Career Development & Training Center located in the Redwood Valley High School in Redwood Falls, MN on Tuesday, July 16th, 2019 and Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 from 8:00AM to 3:30PM. The first day of the Career Institute will kick off with a Keynote Speaker, Dr. Michael Monroe Kiefer. Dr. Michael Monroe Kiefer emphasizes work ethic and is instantly recognized, respected and liked. Work ethic is an unusual quality possessed by relatively few, but also easily learned. His inspirational keynote speech provides the basis for developing a personal code of high work ethic along with some entertaining examples!

Each year, the Career Institute provides interactive skill performances for various careers within the technology and trade sectors for students in grades 7 to 12. This year’s careers to be explored include Surgical Technician, Dental Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technician, Energy, Carpentry, Powersports/Automotive Technician, Law Enforcement, Welding, Plumbing, Vet Technician, Precision Ag/Drones, Livestock Operations, and more.

Increasing student interest in local careers and building connections for students and business through support and engagement of one another is an outcome we seek from the Career Institute. We believe the Career Institute has the capacity to help build connections between students and employers, while also encouraging students to remain or return to the area ultimately creating a pool of highly motivated and skilled employee candidates for our local business.

We are inviting business, community members, parents, educators, and more to come over to observe and learn more about how you, your business, student, or school can be part of the 2020 Career Institute or support Technology and Trades on the Prairie’s goals and objectives. Please rsvp by July 5th to [email protected] if you plan on attending the 2019 Career Institute and participating in lunch.

We are enthusiastic about our third year and have reached our maximum amount of registrants (100) for the 2019 Career Institute. We are accepting additional applications which will be placed on the waiting list, if you are interested. Because there is a waiting list, current registered applicants are asked to email [email protected] if they are no longer able to attend no later than July 5th, respectively.

About Technology and Trades on the Prairie, Inc.

Technology and Trades on the Prairie (TTOP) is committed to providing unique opportunities for students to explore, experience, and excel in the technical skills needed for our workforce, today and tomorrow. We envision regional workforce needs met through industry, education, and community partnerships committed to increasing student success in Southwest Minnesota technology and trades careers.

To be a part of the larger community effort to improve the future of Southwest Minnesota by:

• Developing Career Institutes that create an awareness among high school students of career opportunities focused on technology and trades in Southwest Minnesota.
• Providing scholarships to encourage and support students in pursuit of careers requiring technical education.
• Providing opportunities for local employers to interact with and support students as their potential future workforce, promoting the benefits of working and living in Southwest Minnesota.

Outcomes we Seek:

• Meeting local workforce needs through industry, education, and community partnerships that support our region’s young adults.
• Creating a pool of highly motivated and skilled employee candidates for our regional workforce.
• Building connections for graduating students that encourage them to remain or to return to the area.

Board Members of TTOP include: Sadie Reiners (Treasurer)- Farmward Cooperative (Morgan); Pauline Nickel- University of Minnesota Retired Professor (Lamberton); Ally Carlson-Redwood Valley Schools (Redwood Falls); Pat Dingels- RADC (Redwood Falls); and Eriann Faris-Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council (Marshall, Montevideo, Worthington).

Technology and Trades on the Prairie is made possible by: Farmers Union Industries Foundation; Farmward Cooperative & AgQuest; Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative; MinnWest Bank; Thrivent Financial; CoBank; Cenex Harvest States (CHS); Redwood Area Learning Center; Land O’ Lakes; and The Southwest Initiative Foundation.

Technology & Trades on the Prairie is incorporated and a 501 (c) 3 status under Redwood Area Communities Foundation (RACF).

Contact Information
For more information check out Technology and Trades on the Prairie website at www.prairiecareers.com or follow with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/prairiecareers. You can also contact TTOP by emailing us at [email protected].

What does your future look like?

What do you want to be when you grow up? The question for all the ages. You were asked when you were in elementary school, and then again in middle school. However, when you’re asked in high school the answer becomes a lot more real.

Technology and Trades on the Prairie is here to help clear the path to adulthood. On July 18-20, the 2017 Career Institute, lets students experience a series of 16 hands-on simulation labs demonstrating the skills required for careers in agronomics, health care, communications, industrial technology and human resources. At the Harvest Land Cooperative in Morgan, MN, students in grades 9-12 can explore career options and ask questions directly to professionals in the field.

Students get the chance to:

  • operate a drone
  • respond to a medical emergency in a simulated ambulance bay
  • perform the daily tasks of a certified nursing assistant
  • create circuits and connect wires to fire up an engine
  • gather and analyze soil samples and fertilizer tissue
  • conduct job tasks for solar and wind installations
  • weld
  • use social media as a marketing tool

The simulation labs will be led by instructors from Central Lakes College, MN West Technical College, South Central Technical & Vocational College, MN Energy, Ridgewater College and KLGR Radio.

There is no cost for students to attend and lunch will be provided all three days. Students will also receive a t-shirt, notebook, pen and backpack. The Career Institute is limited to 60 students. To apply, an application can be downloaded at www.prairiecareers.com. Applications must be received by June 24th. Questions can be emailed to [email protected]. In order to achieve the full benefit from participation in the Career Institute, students are required to attend all three days.

Simulator used at the career institute

Connect with us!