Watch Us Live!

Check back daily for live streaming events.

Watch Now

Lakeland PBS
❤ Donate
  • Home
  • Support
  • Watch Now
    • Local Shows
    • Watch Online
    • Schedule
    • Our Channels
    • Web Cam
  • Lakeland News
    • News Feed
    • Featured Segments
    • Watch a News Story
    • Watch a Sports Story
  • Shop
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • State Legacy Funding
    • Meetings & Public Filings
    • Education
    • Employment
  • ❤ DONATE

Tools For Schools Introduces High School Students To Careers In The Trades

Rachel Johnson — Jan. 15 2019
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

As more and more high school students graduate and decide to go to a four-year college, skilled trade workers are needed now more than ever. The Mid-Minnesota Builders Association is working to introduce students to the trades and show the potential career paths students can take.

A study conducted last summer in Minnesota found that 73 percent of construction firms and trade employers are having a hard time filling positions.

“There’s a real shortage of talented, skilled carpenters, electricians, plumbers out there, and we think getting to them early, show them that some blue-collar work is a good thing, and there are career paths,” said Ben Baratto, owner of Baratto Brothers Construction. “We’ll get them interested after high school and help out with our labor shortage.”

The Mid-Minnesota Builders Association started a program three years ago to introduce students to the possibilities outside of a traditional four-year degree.

“Our mission as a board and as a membership is to visit area high schools letting students know about different career options past high school,” said Colleen Faacks, Mid-Minnesota Builders Association Executive Officer.

“It’s our third year of doing this in schools in the area we service which is Crow Wing County, lower Cass, and part of Wadena County,” explained Ray Austin, who is on the Mid-Minnesota Business Association’s Education Committee.

Fourteen trade businesses from around the area packed the gym today at Crosby-Ironton High School for the first Tools For Schools of the year.

“There’s nothing off base that they can talk about. They are welcome to ask any types of questions. We just want them to have a little bit of a snippet on different career opportunities,” added Faacks.

Along with the event, the association donated a thousand dollars worth of tools to the the shop classes of Crosby-Ironton High School.

This is the first Tools For Schools event of the year. Two more will be held in Pillager and Pequot Lakes. The businesses ranged from construction to electrical companies, all teaching the ins and outs of what is like working in the trades.

“I think that it’s important to let kids know that there’s options beyond just the four-year college route,” said Austin. “There’s a lot of good jobs out there right now.”

Though going to a trade school after high school might not be the traditional route, those who do will learn life-long skills.

“Those are skills that might be your career, but that’s something that you can take with you. No one can take it away,” said Faacks.

“There’s been, I think, a lack of showing kids what life can be like pounding a nail or being a plumber or pulling wires,” said Austin. “There’s a lot of good lives that can be done.”

The next Tools For Schools event will be held at Pequot Lakes High School on February 26.

Lakeland News is member supported content. Please consider supporting Lakeland News today.

Donate Today
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Rachel Johnson

By — Rachel Johnson

Lakeland News Lead Reporter

Related Posts

Cass Lake-Bena High School Students Visit NTC To Explore Careers Paths

In Focus: MMBA Holds 2nd Annual Lumber And Lace Fashion Show

Statewide Workforce Development Scholarship Initiative Announced

Golden Apple: Nisswa Elementary Students Plant Crabapple Tree For Arbor Day

Latest Stories

Village of Hope Open House Today In Bemidji

Posted on Dec. 9 2019

BSU Men's Hockey Beats Alaska Fairbanks

Posted on Dec. 7 2019

BSU Women's Hockey Takes Win Over St. Cloud State

Posted on Dec. 7 2019

Brainerd/Little Falls Girls Hockey Shuts Out Bemidji

Posted on Dec. 7 2019

Brainerd Girls Basketball Gets Big Win Over Sartell-St. Stephen

Posted on Dec. 7 2019

Get the free PBS Video App

roku
Apple TV
FireTV
AndroidTV
Google Play Store
Apple Store

Connect with Us

Watch Live News Casts

Contact Us

Directions
Submit an Event
Submit a Video or Photo
Problem with the Website
Need to contact us about something else? Please visit our contact us page for more options.

About Us

Lakeland PBS understands that the media people are exposed to make a significant impact on their lives. Our hope is that the six channels we broadcast along with our online presence provide people with media experiences that make a positive impact on their lives.

Lakeland PBS is where you want to be!

108 Grant Ave NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 | 800-292-0922
KAWE Public Profile | KAWB Public Profile | Cable Provider Channel List | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2019 Lakeland PBS. All Right Reserved.

How would you like to show your support?

Monthly Contribution

One-Time Contribution

Thank-You Gift

I would like to select a thank-you gift

No Gift

Put 100% of my gift towards programming

Show your support for Lakeland PBS

Support Lakeland PBS
Donate

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.