UPDATE: More than 1,100 middle school students are actively exploring career paths at the Youth T4 Summit happening now in East Grand Forks. This two-day event, taking place on October 19 and 20, 2023, at Northland Community and Technical College, is designed to connect students with local industry professionals and showcase lucrative career options right in their own communities.
The summit features five interactive sessions focusing on key industries including healthcare, construction, energy, agriculture, and more. Each session lasts 35 minutes, providing students with hands-on experiences and insights into careers they may not have previously considered. Organizers emphasize the importance of keeping an open mind, as Shawn Brink, a state energy education coordinator, stated, “What I ask of you is to keep an open mind. When you go into these sessions, you’re going to be surprised by the things that you like that you didn’t think you would ever care for.”
This year’s summit marks the second consecutive year for the event, which has rapidly expanded since its inception in 2019 in Watford City, North Dakota. The T4 Summit, which stands for tools, trades, torque, and technology, has grown to host events in eight cities across North Dakota and Minnesota, now including East Grand Forks.
The need for such an event becomes clear as Eric Ripley, the executive director of career and technical education for Grand Forks Public Schools, highlighted the urgency of exposing students to a wide array of career paths. “What we’re trying to do is to get that pyramid from a wide base and start narrowing our way up the field,” he explained, referring to the importance of career exploration at a young age.
Unlike traditional career fairs, the Youth T4 Summit emphasizes direct communication between students and industry leaders, breaking down barriers that often hinder meaningful engagement. Brink noted that many students struggle to approach professionals in a conventional setting. “Anything that exposes kids to careers is terrific, but… a traditional career fair is not very productive for kids,” he said.
The summit quickly reached its capacity in East Grand Forks, with students from several local middle schools participating. On the first day, students from East Grand Forks Central Middle School, Dakota Prairie School, and several others attended, while the second day welcomed students from additional schools including Thompson Public School and Larimore Public School.
As interest in career and technical education grows statewide, the focus is shifting towards involving more local businesses in future summits. Brink commented, “We need more businesses of all kinds to get involved. We will help train the trainer… my team will come in and work with them and come up with an idea that they can use for an activity related to their field.”
With the Youth T4 Summit showcasing the potential of high-paying jobs available in the region, students are not just learning about careers; they are being inspired to envision their futures right at home. As Brink pointed out, “My goal is to keep North Dakota and Minnesota kids in our state, and show you careers that are out there.”
The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated, as the summit is a critical opportunity for young students to shape their career aspirations and contribute positively to their communities. As this event unfolds, the excitement and engagement of the students signal a promising future for workforce development in the Greater Grand Forks region.
