Technical Skills Challenge 2009

Over thirty high students competed in this year's Technical Skills Challenge on the Minnesota West Granite Falls campus on April 30. Competitions included the Cellphone Showdown, Digital Photography, Graphic Design, a Solar Sprint Car Race, and Wind Energy.

The Technical Skills Challenge offers a fun way for students to showcase their talents and show off their skills. Area business people, organizations, and Minnesota West faculty and staff served as judges and competition designers for the events.

Click here to view more pictures from this year's event: http://studentactivitiesphotogallery.shutterfly.com/1988

Free Real Care Babies

We have two Real Care Babies available to the first person to express an interest. These babies are being returned due to the loss of a Family and Consumer Science program within our consortium. If interested, call Gail @ 507-537-2273.

U of M offers CTE Licensure Course

"Instructional Methods for Business and Industry" which is a required course for persons seeking licensure in Career and Technical Education is being offered through the University of Minnesota's Office of Professional Development Outreach. More information and registration details can be found at http://cehd.umn.edu/whre/opdo.

Career Expo 2009

Career Expo 2009 will be held at Southwest Minnesota State University on October 20 and Minnesota West Community and Technical College- Worthington on October 21. The Career Expo brings almost 2000 high school sophomores from throughout the region to college campuses to experience careers like never before. Students will gain information about careers and educational options by attending interactive sessions and a career game show. They will have the opportunity to investigate career options that align with their skills and interests, improve job seeking skills, better understand what employers need, and become more aware of career opportunities right here in southwest Minnesota. Registration and more information is available at http://www.lifetimeoflearning.com/CareerExpo.htm.

Welding Training

Lakeview High School, Cottonwood, MN
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
9 AM – 3:30 PM

Agenda Highlights:

* Access Free Materials, Classroom Resources & Project Ideas
* Refresh welding skills to match local welding companies’ needs
* Tour Local Welding Businesses (SMI Hydraulics and HydroSwing)

* Set up future tours for your students
* Learn Basic Blue Print Reading
* Experience a welding project from blue print to finished product
* Trouble shoot equipment
* Learn equipment operation
* Participate in hands-on demonstrations
* Learn about career opportunities for your students

Register Today at http://www.lifetimeoflearning.com/, click “Workshops”
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 22nd
$10 Registration Fee to cover lunch/breaks
Limited to first 20 registrations

** Mileage reimbursement provided for Minnesota West Perkins Consortium Instructors

Minnesota Career Information Systems Update

Districts interested in ordering MCIS for next year using their Carl Perkins funds must do so by contacting Gail @ 507-537-2273 before June 1. Here is a preview of some of the enhancements that will be available for the coming year.

• Reality Check: Reality Check has been totally rewritten. It has a new look, new graphics, runs faster, and the coding for budget items is more accurate. The program is fully integrated into MCIS, so users can link directly to the occupational information.



• Paying for School. This module features information to help students and parents understand the costs of higher education and the options available to help pay those expenses. The content includes various charts and calculators.



• Special Career and Postsecondary Assistance Options. The content describes dual credit options students have to take challenging courses and earn postsecondary credit while in high school. It also features opportunities for students with special interests and special needs.



• More Modules in Spanish



• Portfolio Enhancements
  · Spell checker in the Education and Work History sections
  · Ability to order the items in resumes
  · More resume formats
  · Flexibility for users to select specific items for inclusion in a resume
  · Repository to save resumes



• MCIS Site Administrative Database
  You can find out:
  · The top 10 schools your students are interested in
  · Which students took the IDEAS assessment
  · What the most popular occupations are among your students
  You can:
  · Organize student portfolios into groups like 9th Grade Career Class or Brown's Advisees
  · Upload all the course offerings at your school so they display in the Course Planner section of My MCIS