Bridges Career Academies &Workplace Connection

Bridges Program GoalsBridges Program Goals

To provide opportunities for high school students to be

career and college ready for regional 21st century high-wage, high-skill, and high-growth careers.

To provide high school students real-world experiences and comprehensive programs of study through a partnership of area businesses, high schools, and

Central Lakes College.

Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection

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Bridges’ Partners:

Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Local Businesses and Industries,Carl Perkins Consortium High Schools, Central Lakes College

Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection

Academic Middle Students

Individual High School “Expertise”

Local Business and Industry Employment Needs and Opportunities

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Bridges TargetsBridges Targets

Bridges Career Academies

Bridges Career Academies are

a set of courses that are organized

around a career cluster theme.

Bridges courses provide instructional activities relating to

foundational/life skills and workplace experiences that

support the curriculum.

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What are Bridges Career Academies?What are Bridges Career Academies?

Bridges Career Academies

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Building Bridges Academies

Academies are built in two ways:

Disciplinary by offering specific courses in one field such as Agriculture or Business

Interdisciplinary by combining courses from several departments, such as Natural Resources, Art, English and Math courses.

Bridges Career Academies

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Courses may be: High School Courses Advance Standing Articulated Courses PSEO/CIS/AP Courses College Courses from various College Partners

Standards and Prerequisites: Determined by individual teachers.

Course Schedules: Part of the regular high school schedule. Students can start in 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade.

Bridges Key ElementsBridges Key Elements

Bridges

Career

Academy

Post- Secondary EducationTechnical

Skills

Foundational or Life Skills

Business Experience

Employment

Apprenticeship

Entrepreneurship

Technical Skills

Regular Course Curriculum

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Bridges Workplace Connection

A bridge between education and business. Each Academy course has a workplace learning experience.

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber is the catalyst and coordinator of the work-based learning experiences

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Bridges Workplace Connection

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Workplace Experiences

Students can select work experiences from a variety of options:

Career Expo Experience

Business and Industry Tours

Speakers in the Classroom

Bridges Career Videos

Job Shadows

Immersion Camps

Foundational/Life Skills

Everything I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten!

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Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection

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Disciplinary Sample Academy:Agricultural Equipment Technology

Agricultural Mechanics 1 High School CreditUsing the text: Agricultural Mechanics Fundamentals & Applications, Cooper and the lab manual students will cover the basic chapters and labs. Additional information contained in FFA Career Development Events or CDE’s will be used.

Small Gas Engines 1 High School CreditThis lab (shop) based course will challenge you in the area of small gas engines and basic construction. Small gas engine component will explore operation theory, actual troubleshooting and engine maintenance.

Advanced Welding and Shop 1 High School and/or Articulated Credit Students will be allowed extensive time to design and create personal projects based on knowledge and experience gained through welding, small gas engines. CAD, pneumatics, and hydraulics will be explored as well as advanced level welding and metal fabricating techniques. A good work ethic and a desire to work in the shop preferred. This course is articulated for college credit with Central Lakes College.

Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection

Interdisciplinary Sample Academy:Wildlife and Visual Communication

Digital Photography 2 High School and/or 3 College Credits

Students in this introductory course will learn about the fundamentals of digital photography, composition, presentation, history of photography, purchasing a camera and ethics when manipulating photos. Students will use Photoshop along with digital cameras to create and manipulate a variety of photos.

Art Studio Portfolio 1 High School Credit and Advanced Placement CreditsThis studio-based exploratory course seeks to challenge the student with creative thinking and artistic

problem solving assignments. Students will experience a variety of materials and processes, through 2 and 3 dimensional art media. Good composition and an understanding of the elements and principles of design are stressed.

Wildlife Management 1 High School Credit and/or 3 Articulated CreditsIf you enjoy wildlife, hunting, or the great outdoors, this course if for you. We will focus on conservation,

hunting, and ethics of a sports person. Specific topics include: big game, wildlife management, habitat establishment, related organizations, and GPS instruction. Taxidermy will be introduced and a hands-on lab will be available. This course is articulated for college credit with Central Lakes College.

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Additional Samples

Woodworking Introduction to CAD and

Woodworking Advanced Woods I Advanced Woods II Geometry

Health Services Human Anatomy Chemistry Human Development or

Health 10 Spanish or English Writing

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Child Development

Child Development Food and Nutrition Human Anatomy Youth Apprenticeship

Horticulture

Landscaping Horticulture Biology Ecology

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Responsibilities

Administrative Support Academy Teachers Place Academy Information

in Registration Guide Allow Students to Receive

Certificates and Honor Cords at Graduation

Teachers Develop Academies Inform Students of Academy

Opportunities Available to Them

Ensure Key Elements are Included in Courses

Assist Students When Submitting Completion Certificates

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IS IT WORKING FOR STUDENTS?

Bridges Data

2013

12 High Schools 48 Teachers 57 Academies 125 Completers 2.7 Average G.P.A. 106/125 College

2014

17 High Schools 72 Teachers 97 Academies 215 Completers 3.1 Average G.P.A. 195/215 College

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89% Stated the Academies helped them determine a career.

67% Stated the Workplace Connection made a difference in selecting their career.

91% Stated the Academies helped them determine a career.

89% Stated the Workplace Connection made a difference in selecting their career.

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Resources

www.bridgesconnection.org

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Questions?

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Judy Richer jricher@clcmn.edu

218 894 3050