“Cool” Education Paves the Way for Economic Success in Wadena County

Residents in communities nationwide are crucial to fuel economic growth as a viable workforce. Young adults are a critical segment of that population, yet many are unsure of their best path to gainful employment and rewarding careers. Community and technical colleges are in unique positions to assist.

“Staff at community and technical colleges often believe in these individuals before they believe in themselves,” said Dr. Carrie Brimhall, Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) President. “Our students aren’t here for the college party atmosphere. They’re here for practical reasons, having made tactical decisions to work for a better way of life. Our higher education offers students transformation through life-changing work, which is pretty cool!”

M State, at its Wadena campus, and Central Lakes College (CLC) in Staples are at the forefront of shaping the skills and talents of Wadena County’s workforce through career and technical education (CTE). These colleges offer diverse programs designed to meet the unique needs of the local economy, preparing students for careers in high-demand fields such as electrical line work, HVAC, nursing, diesel mechanics, and construction. As the demand from industries for skilled workers increases, these institutions evolve to meet their needs, offering specialized training and forming industry partnerships by combining proven educational methods with new adaptations. 

Destination education

M State stands out for its close-knit community atmosphere and steady enrollment, particularly in trades programs such as Electrical Line Worker Technology, Construction, Electrician, HVAC and Design and Engineering Technology. These roles are in high demand, drawing students to these "destination programs" from across the region. 

The campus also offers programs like cosmetology, massage therapy, nursing, and architectural drafting, which attract diverse student populations. Community support is especially presented with these programs, as students apply their learning with locals, who show patience and understanding as students develop new skills, especially in cosmetology.

“Residents can register for hair appointments, etc., but need to allow for a bit more time than a full-time salon because our students need a little extra time because they are new to their trade,” said Brimhall. 

While many graduates, particularly from destination programs, find employment statewide, other graduates, like nursing, tend to stay closer to home.
M State is adaptable, regularly updating its programs to meet community needs. Recent additions include echocardiography, which is in its second year, as well as nuclear medicine and solar technician programs planned for the fall of 2025. Other potential expanded offerings include plumbing to its construction suite and even an indoor climbing facility for line worker training.

Many of these additions result from industry feedback through advisory boards, as each faculty member holds meetings each academic year with their program’s advisory board. With a growing focus on energy and construction careers, M State is in tune with community needs, but businesses face increasing competition for skilled workers. 

“Higher education is evolving, with two-year colleges like M State becoming more attuned to local workforce demands,” said Brimhall. “Our campus purposely mirrors the community's needs as we add or subtract programs every year.”

Central Lakes College

CLC offers a wide range of programs designed to meet local workforce needs from its Staples campus. Current popular programs include diesel, robotics, machine tool, meat cutting/butchery, nursing and animal/Ag science.  Notably, CLC’s new meat cutting/butchery program has flourished with new facilities and even garnered visits from Senator Amy Klobuchar, highlighting its growth and importance. The nursing program is consistently full with a waitlist. A 360-acre sandlot offers a real-world environment for the heavy equipment program and acres of land adjacent to the campus are dedicated to farm bureau management. 

Partnerships are also critical to CLC’s operations. Local organizations like Sourcewell and Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) bridge the gap between high school and college, guiding students toward relevant careers. Industry partners actively support CLC with equipment donations and guidance from advisory boards, resulting in programs that reflect local needs. An example is a new surgical technology program currently gaining traction.

“Our industry partners have indicated an overwhelming request for this essential role with the community’s aging population,” said Sheila Hoehn, Dean of CLC Staples Campuses, Nursing and Workforce Solutions. “With space available at the Staples main campus, we are very excited for the potential of a two-year associate degree that could meet that need.” 

Other recent responses to community realities include the college’s consideration of expanding into trades like HVAC, electrician, construction, and transportation. CLC is exploring CDL training, potentially for high school seniors, due to a desperate demand in the trucking industry.

Customized training delivered through non-credit programs that require minimal financial investment is also an option CLC employs. One successful example is a farrier program to meet a lack of trained individuals throughout the state,

“We consistently work with prospective students and area businesses to not only ensure we offer programs that fit the needs of both, but to do so in a financially sound manner," said Hoehn. “The end goal for our students is gainful employment. That means ensuring the cost of completing our programs is not exorbitant compared to their earning ability in the careers they step into.”

Focus on growth

The focus on practical skills and real-world experience in CTE programs at M State and CLC transform individual lives while strengthening the region's economic potential and overall quality of life. As the region faces challenges like housing affordability and competition for skilled workers, supporting local educational initiatives is more important than ever. 

“One hundred percent of our focus is helping our students dive into the career paths they seek while matching them to the local employers seeking a skilled workforce,” said Hoehn. “That has been a real wakeup for higher education, that by focusing on the student’s future, we can also fill the roles and trades our companies need.” 

To learn more about how you can get involved or seek workforce solutions, contact the West Central Economic Development Alliance today. Together, we can continue to strengthen our community and economy.