The Groove - Minneapolis Community & Technical College

Hands-on: students collaborate in the HVACR program An MCTC student examining a model in the biotechnology lab
MCTC Expands Career and Technical Industry Partnerships
Partnerships Create Opportunities at MCTC
MCTC is creating opportunities for students to attain an
affordable education and be successful in their lifelong
endeavors. By aligning career and technical education (CTE)
programs with industry needs, MCTC is preparing graduates to
fill workforce demands. Partnerships with four-year colleges
and universities also allow for innovative pathways for MCTC’s
graduates to transfer credits and earn more advanced degrees.
Working With Business Leaders and Grant Partners
MCTC’s career and technical programs have an advisory
committee working collaboratively with faculty to plan,
evaluate and ensure programs provide students with the
skills to help them succeed. “Working closely with advisory
committee members allows us to stay in touch with industry
needs. This guides us in developing academic programs and
career services to help students find success in the
workplace,” said Mick Coleman, Dean of the MCTC
Academy of Manufacturing and Technology.
Working with the Minnesota Business Partnership (MBP),
MCTC learned of ongoing needs in downtown Minneapolis
for skilled administrative professionals. By launching a new
administrative professionals track and developing continuing
education opportunities, MCTC is playing a crucial role in
connecting local businesses to a well-trained workforce.
MCTC is also working with grant partners such as the
MetroTransit Partnership. This partnership between MCTC
and four other organizations will provide training and
professional development for current MetroTransit bus, rail
and building maintenance technicians. It will also help
develop innovative methods of encouraging youths to pursue
careers in public transportation. “MCTC’s collaboration with
MetroTransit to train workers for high-tech, green, transitrelated
jobs as we expand our region’s transit system is the
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kind of effort that will create opportunity for everyone in
Minneapolis’ 21st-century economy and keep our region
competitive on the national and global stage,” said
Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak.
Real-world Experience
MCTC is committed to maintaining and expanding
relationships with area employers to secure internship
opportunities for students. These opportunities enable
students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world
situations and stand out in a tough job market.
Mortenson Construction is working on campus improvements
and has been partnering with MCTC to provide CTE students
an opportunity to learn onsite about construction techniques,
elevator shaft modeling, OSHA and HVACR. Mortenson Vice
President Ken Sorenson asked MCTC to extend the
partnership to the new Vikings stadium, with a focus on
electricity, HVACR and welding.
MCTC Students Seek Advanced Degrees
Partnerships help MCTC create pathways to fill needs in the
healthcare and STEM fields. MCTC students can now dually
enroll at Augsburg College to earn a bachelor’s in nursing in
less than three years. Another recent partnership ensures
graduates of MCTC’s Biotechnology program who have a 3.5
GPA or higher can enroll in the College of Biological Sciences
at the U of M, one of the U’s most prestigious schools. “The
partnerships are positive examples of collaborative efforts to
ensure a pathway for students to the top scientific careers in
our state,” said MCTC President Phil Davis.
Collaboration Yields Results
Strategic workforce partnerships and initiatives help MCTC
lead the way in providing opportunities for student success.
Contact Pamela Radcliffe at pamela.radcliffe@minneapolis.
edu or 612-659-6965 for more information.