exampleconference2024

An overview of the non-profit organizations Construct Tomorrow and Building Strong Communities, as well as the Operating Engineer's High School Pathway program. Construct Tomorrow puts on CTE-focused events for high school students throughout the state of Minnesota. Construct Tomorrow works to showcase what a career in the construction trades has to offer by giving students a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity alongside apprentices, journey-workers, and other trades professionals. Building Strong Communities is an industry-driven organization focused on multi-trade apprenticeship preparatory programming throughout the state of Minnesota. The OE Pathway Program offers students, grades 9-12, the opportunity to take classes pertaining to heavy equipment operations and engage with industry experts, along with hands-on training.

Session Objectives:
1) Identify what the Construct Tomorrow and Building Strong Communities organizations are and how they help high school students explore career opportunities in the construction trades.
2) Learn about the OE pathway program and how to get students connected to this innovative industry-education partnership.
3) Develop a better understanding of what the construction trades are, as well as opportunities in registered apprenticeship available to students.
4) Identify the health & welfare, retirement, and wage benefits available to apprentices and journey-workers in the construction trades.

ROOM HOSTS: Eva Scates-Winston

The definition of exploration, according to the Oxford dictionary, is the action of traveling in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it. As the world of work continues to diversify and the number of career pathways expands, it is imperative that industries provide offerings for career exploration earlier in an individual’s education. There is a critical crossroad between student and employee where the industry can connect interests and potential careers. The Titan Machinery EDGE program provides high school juniors/seniors with 12 weeks of career exploration within one of our heavy equipment dealerships. The goal is simple, allow students to see, touch, and inquire about the world around them!

Session Objectives:
1.) Understand the importance of career exploration during the critical years prior to high school graduation
2.) Identify how educators and industry can teach employability skills, connect academic interests and classroom learning with potential careers
3.) Improve educator's knowledge of career options in the heavy equipment industry

ROOM HOSTS: Sue Selland-Miller