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The Alliance celebrates graduates entering the skilled trades.

 

The Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance announces a call for nominations to recognize local high school graduates pursuing skilled trades career paths upon graduation.

The Dickinson County area is home to many large companies in the manufacturing, construction, healthcare and technology sectors that offer meaningful careers in fields that align with Career and Technical Education paths available through the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District Tech Center and Bay College Iron Mountain campus.

“Skilled trades career paths offer access to in-demand careers with a smaller educational investment and often a high financial payoff,” said Mindy Meyers, executive director of The Alliance. “We want to celebrate these students as they enter the next phase of life contributing to the local economy’s success, either in the workforce or in a training program.”

Teachers, parents, counselors, and friends can nominate a high school senior for a chance to win a prize package that includes a $25 gift card to Step Ahead and swag from area businesses as well as recognition on social media.

To nominate a senior from Forest Park, Florence, Iron Mountain, Kingsford, Niagara, North Dickinson, Norway, or West Iron County, visit https://bit.ly/3TWmKTI. Nominations are accepted through April 17, 2024.

One random winner from each area high school will be selected from the entries received. Those who nominated the winners will be contacted by email on April 22, 2024.

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Area students to gain insight from manufacturers about professional trades careers on October 6 during Manufacturing Day at Bay College West

Manufacturing Day brings together ninth-grade students from area schools to interact with local manufacturers and learn about professional trade careers.

“Our goal in bringing together students and area employers is to shift perceptions about what it means to work in the professional trades upon graduating high school,” shared Lois Ellis, director of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance (The Alliance). “We expect 300 students from Kingsford, Iron Mountain, North Dickinson, Niagara and Norway to be in attendance.”

Manufacturing Day is a national program by The Manufacturing Institute to engage students, parents, educators, and community partners to raise awareness of manufacturers’ vital role in many communities and states across the United States.

Locally, The Alliance, Bay College West, Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center, Michigan Works, and local manufacturers are leading the charge to raise awareness of all the possibilities for high-quality manufacturing careers with students and parents in the Dickinson area.

“Those working in the professional trades play a crucial role in the health of our local economy. We need to shift perspectives about what successful careers look like,” remarked Ellis.

Manufacturing Day is one opportunity for students to explore working in the professional trades. Students will also learn about the dual enrollment educational paths through the Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center and Bay College.

For more information and facts about professional trades careers, visit www.daeda.org/shift.

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SHIFT: Next-Level Career Magazine 2023

2023 Skilled Trade Career Paths Magazine

The Dickinson County Talent & Education Taskforce is excited to release this year’s Next-Level Career Magazine! With the hope of reaching future professionals within and outside of Dickinson County, this magazine was designed for students, teachers, educators, and anyone interested in pursuing a career-oriented future.

Learn about the different career paths, programs, and value career and technical education bring as you scroll through this publication. The 2023 Next-Level Career Magazine will touch on programs from DIISD and Bay College West, as well as provide you with the knowledge of post-education professional opportunities and experiences from local students.

If you’re interested in learning more about Skilled Trade Career Paths, contact Lois Ellis, Executive Director of the DAEDA.

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Manufacturing day at Bay College West with area manufacturers and schools gives students insight into professional trades careers in manufacturing

The Alliance’s new program SHIFT aims to raise awareness of professional trades careers

Iron Mountain, Mich., (September 30, 2022) – The Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance joins Bay College West, the Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center, Michigan Works, and local manufacturers in marking Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 7. The event brings together ninth-grade students from area schools to interact with local manufacturers to learn about careers in the professional trades.

“After two years of virtual Manufacturing Day activities, we are thrilled to be meeting in person again at Bay College West,” remarked Lois Ellis, director of The Alliance. “We expect 300 students from Kingsford, Iron Mountain, North Dickinson, Niagara and Norway to be in attendance.”

This event is the first under The Alliance’s new SHIFT Professional Trades Careers program. The SHIFT program’s purpose is to raise awareness of the available career paths in the professional trades that are available to individuals upon graduation from high school.

“Our goal with SHIFT is to not only raise awareness of the outstanding opportunities at area employers but also to help students understand that they can have a successful career without attending a four-year university,” shared Ellis. “Those working in the professional trades play a crucial role in the health of our local economy. We need to shift perspectives about what a successful career looks like after high school graduation.”

Manufacturing Day is one opportunity for students to explore working in the professional trades. Students will also have an opportunity to learn about the available educational paths through the Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center and Bay College to earn while they learn.

More information about SHIFT and facts about professional trades careers are available at www.daeda.org/shift.