UPDATE: More than 1,100 middle school students from the Greater Grand Forks region gathered at the Youth T4 Summit on October 19-20, 2023, at Northland Community and Technical College to explore high-paying career opportunities with local industry professionals. This exciting two-day event showcased various career paths across multiple industries, making it a must-attend for students looking to shape their futures.
The summit featured five 35-minute sessions focusing on careers in healthcare, construction, energy, agriculture, and more. Each student participated in all sessions, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of potential career paths. Shawn Brink, the state energy education coordinator, emphasized the summit’s mission to retain youth in North Dakota and Minnesota by highlighting lucrative job opportunities available in their communities.
“This summit aims to keep kids in our state,” Brink stated during his opening remarks. “We want to show you that there are high-paying jobs, so you can stay in your communities, raise your families, and be productive citizens.”
The T4 Summit—which stands for tools, trades, torque, and technology—was initiated in 2019 and has rapidly expanded. Now held in eight cities across North Dakota and Minnesota, the summit has become a vital platform for students to engage directly with industry leaders.
Eric Ripley, executive director of career and technical education for Grand Forks Public Schools, reinforced the importance of exposing students to a variety of career paths. He noted the significance of a “pyramid of career development,” where students begin with broad exploration before narrowing down their options in high school.
“This is career exploration,” Ripley explained. “We want you to experience things you haven’t even thought about. Keep an open mind and have fun.”
Unlike traditional career fairs, the T4 Summit fosters hands-on experiences and encourages meaningful dialogue between students and professionals. Brink pointed out that this approach effectively bridges the communication gap often present at standard career events.
“Anything that exposes kids to careers is terrific, but traditional career fairs are not very productive for kids,” he remarked.
Both days of the summit reached full capacity, with students attending from numerous local schools, including East Grand Forks Central Middle School and Grand Forks South Middle School on Thursday, and schools from Thompson Public School and Larimore Public School on Friday. The enthusiasm surrounding the event underscores the growing interest in career and technical education across the state.
Brink confirmed that as interest in the T4 Summit rises, there is a pressing need for more local businesses to participate. “We need more businesses of all kinds to get involved,” he stated, offering support to help them create engaging activities related to their fields.
With the spotlight on career exploration and the increasing prioritization of technical education, the Youth T4 Summit serves as a critical platform for inspiring the next generation of professionals. As Brink aptly said, “If you build it, they’ll come.”
Stay tuned for more updates on this important initiative shaping the careers of future generations!
