moorhead public schools
February is National Career and Technical Education Month, an opportunity to celebrate the value and achievements of Career and Technical Education programs across the country. Moorhead Area Public Schools opened the Moorhead High School Career Academy (MHSCA) in the fall of 2021 and is celebrating the diversity of opportunities this facility is opening up to grade 9-12 students.
Over 900 students have been able to enroll in classes offered at the career academy. Recently, the MHSCA hosted several hands-on discovery and exploration opportunities for these students.
Scheuring Speed Sports, based in Aurora, Minn., brought their 100 foot tractor-trailer for students to explore powersports and transportation related careers. The entire trailer fit inside the career academy! The trailer is equipped with a heated and cooled mobile repair shop, lounge area and storage for multiple snowmobiles. Steve Scheuring, owner, as well as drivers and mechanics spoke to our students about the shortage of skilled labor, specifically in powersports and transportation-related careers. Students had the opportunity to ask the drivers, mechanics and owner questions about their team, their daily routines, practicing, off-season training and technical aspects of the racing sleds.
Students also got an opportunity to explore state of the art, up-and-coming tools in a recent discovery event. Border States Electric and Milwaukee tools brought their demo trucks and tools for students to try out and discuss. The multi-purpose room at the MHSCA was the perfect setting for classes to cycle through giving students the opportunity to interact with professionals in the field, experiment with industry equipment and further their career exploration.
Partnerships with private industry through events like this help students touch and feel different industries as they explore career pathways. The workforce development that happens through helping students discover their passions and work toward workplace certifications while still in high school adds value to the community and the region. The City of Moorhead recently featured the career academy in their state of the city video.
Many community members representing organizations and businesses are involved with the Moorhead Transformation project through committee work for district pathway curriculum development. The district is also seeking financial and in-kind sponsorships which are vital to the success of the Moorhead High School transformation project. To find out more about how your organization or business can partner to impact students through this important work, please reach out to info@moorheadschools.org.