UPDATE: Over 1,100 middle school students from the Greater Grand Forks region are actively exploring career paths at the Youth T4 Summit, taking place right now at Northland Community and Technical College. This significant event, held on October 19-20, 2023, is designed to connect students with local industry professionals across various sectors.
During the summit, students engage in five sessions, each lasting 35 minutes, showcasing careers in healthcare, construction, energy, agriculture, and more. Shawn Brink, a state energy education coordinator, emphasized the importance of demonstrating that high-paying jobs are available within the region. “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,” he stated during his opening remarks.
This year’s summit marks the second consecutive year in East Grand Forks, and it has expanded significantly since its inception in 2019, which began with just a handful of local businesses in Watford City, North Dakota. Now, the T4 Summit operates in eight cities across North Dakota and Minnesota, including Bowman, Bottineau, Devil’s Lake, Stanley, Bismarck, New Town, and Watford City.
The event stands apart from traditional career fairs by focusing on hands-on experiences and fostering direct communication between students and industry professionals. Brink noted, “It’s popular with industry and schools both because it bridges that communication gap that kids have when they go to a traditional career fair.”
In a bid to enhance career exploration, Eric Ripley, the executive director of career and technical education for Grand Forks Public Schools, highlighted the need for younger students to explore a broad range of careers. “What we’re trying to do is to get that pyramid from a wide base and start narrowing our way up the field,” he explained, aiming for students to make informed choices as they progress through their education.
The summit has reached capacity in East Grand Forks and in several other cities, showcasing a growing interest in career and technical education. Brink stressed the need for more local businesses to participate, stating, “We need more businesses of all kinds to get involved.” His team is prepared to assist businesses in creating engaging activities related to their fields.
Each day of the summit features a different cohort of students, with attendees this year including schools such as East Grand Forks Central Middle School, Grand Forks South Middle School, and several schools from Minnesota. The overwhelming turnout reflects a rising focus on career education across the state, with Brink affirming, “If you build it, they’ll come.”
As the Youth T4 Summit continues today, it serves as a critical platform for inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals—encouraging them to consider lucrative career paths right in their own communities. The impact of this event will resonate well beyond the two-day summit, shaping the future of local workforce development and educational priorities in the region.
