Posts Tagged ‘high school students’

Hosting Anoka-Hennepin Schools for Trades Day Tours

Monday, October 7th, 2024

Nearly 100 students came through Egan Company’s Champlin office to get a tour of the facility and see what working in the trades is really like. On Friday, October 4, Egan was one stop on the Anoka-Hennepin Schools first Trades Day tour, welcoming in three busloads of students from Champlin Park High School, Coon Rapids High School, and Anoka High School. Students also toured local city government buildings, manufacturers, and other area businesses. 

By providing in-person opportunities to explore the trades, Egan hopes to teach students about the construction industry and to share career paths that are available after graduation. 

“Through the trades day event, students are exposed to diverse experiences and careers that not only inspire them, but also equip them with the knowledge and confidence to shape their future paths,” said Melissa Upton, a teacher at  Anoka-Hennepin Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP). “As they step into these new worlds, the students discover not just what is possible, but what is achievable.”

During the tours, students were able to see and learn about Egan’s UL 508A Panel Shop, InterClad Shop, and Piping and Plumbing Shop. Students also toured Egan’s Technology Center for an interactive demonstration of building technology including fire alarms, and security systems. Egan regularly hosts local schools and offers facility tours for students to learn more about the industry and their potential career opportunities.

Advancing Hands-On Trade Experience with Lake Street Works

Thursday, January 5th, 2023

Prior to this year, an after-school program that furthers career skills for high school students in South Minneapolis was unheard of. Seeing this gap, Jess Coykendall alongside others formed what would soon be known as Lake Street Works (LSW).

LSW serves the South Minneapolis community by providing seniors in high school with the opportunity to learn more about construction trades as well as general life skills. Many of the students in this urban area would otherwise not have access to these resources within their school or home life.

QUICK FACTS:

  • Students meet twice a week after school and are paid to attend (much like having an after school job)
  • At the end of the program, graduates of LSW will be equipped to either enter full-time employment, apply for an apprenticeship/specialty trade certification, or enroll in a post-secondary technical training program. 
  • The inaugural class of Lake Street Works will graduate in June 2023. 

Several Egan leaders, Kurt Johnson, ATS Director of Sales, Jason Rosati, Vice President of Electrical Special Projects, and Mike Tengwall, Senior Vice President of Electrical, were guest speakers to the class and shared about their experiences in the trades as well as answered any questions the students had.

Egan also donated work shirts and PPE for all of the students who are part of the LSW program. In the coming year, Egan’s Mechanical team will be working with Ryan Companies to assist in designing and building their new training center. 

For more information visit the Lake Street Works website.