Career and Technical Training for High School Students
Western Iowa Tech Community College is establishing a Career Academy in Denison, Iowa in partnership with five school districts: Denison, Boyer Valley, Maple Valley Anthon Oto-Charter Oak Ute (MVAOCOU), Odebolt Arthur-Battle Creek Ida Grove (OABCIG), and Woodbine. The academy will serve as a hub of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for regional high school students enrolled in college courses. The purpose of the Career Academy is to expand educational access for rural communities in western Iowa and strengthen pipelines to meet workforce needs.
Fill High-Demand Careers
The academy will consist of a new structure on the Western Iowa Tech Denison campus. Housed within the academy will be four program offerings that align with community needs and student interest: Agriculture, Business, Auto Technology, and Education. Each career pathway will provide an active learning experience through hands-on lab work, community engagement, and community connections. In addition, all pathways include a third-party certification or a postsecondary credential and align with a high-demand careers in Iowa.
Western Iowa Tech is proud to lead the initiative in improving access to CTE programming for regional high school students, resulting in gainful employment in high-demand Iowa careers.
Timeline
The Career Academy in Denison is slated to open in August 2025.
- August – September: Demolition, foundation work
- October – December 2024: Exterior construction
- January – March 2025: Interior construction
- February – May: Interior finishing
- June 2025: Landscaping and concrete paving
- July 2025: Project complete
- August 2025: Grand opening, classes begin
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