NDSCS NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE SHAPING THE WORKFORCE WWW.NDSCS.EDU
DART TRANSIT AGENDA AT A GLANCE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES WHAT: O ne of the largest municipal associations in the country, representing about 855 cities, large and small throughout Minnesota WHERE: Minnesota, US WEBSITE: w DART TRANSIT COMPANY Standing out from the competition, Dart Transit Company rides the road to continued success NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENC SHAPING THE W AT A GLANCE NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE (NDSCS) T wo-year public college offering 80+ career and technical education programs with residential campus experience, serving 3,367 students with 97% job placement rate WHERE: Wahpeton, ND WEBSITE: www.ndscs.edu AT THIS LEADING COLLEGE, STUDENTS FOCUS ON LEARNING HIRE THEM STRAIGHT FROM THE CLASSROOM. 1 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
T COMPAN The transport and logistics sector is competitive by nature. With so many companies vying for contracts, the ability to stand out from the competition comes down to putting the customer first. For Dart Transit Company, a family-owned freight logistics company, the road is smooth sailing as clients remain loyal and CE WORKFORCE G THEIR TRADES WHILE EMPLOYERS COMPETE TO Across North Dakota, a workforce crisis is reshaping how colleges approach education. With only 46 available workers for every 100 open jobs, the state faces one of America’s most severe labor shortages. At North Dakota State College of Science, this challenge has become an opportunity to rethink traditional educational pathways. “We offer CTE programs as well as liberal arts and transfer pathways for our students,” says Dr. Lisa Karch, 2 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at NDSCS.“About 75% of our students are CTE, so career technical education students. We are a very unique campus where we’re a two-year campus with a fouryear feel.” The formula appears to be working. Fall 2024 enrollment hit 3,367 students, a 7.2% increase that brings the college closer to its 1981 record than it has been in over four decades. The college’s residential life experience sets it apart from typical community colleges in the region. “There’s not a lot of two-year colleges that offer that,” Dr. Karch notes. “Many of them are commuter schools, and we know that student life experience really draws many students to our campus.” NDSCS maintains seamless transfer agreements with the North Dakota University system and Minnesota State system, ensuring students can continue their education if they choose. But increasingly, graduates are heading straight into high-paying careers. The college’s 97% job placement rate mirrors regional workforce demands and the practical focus of its programs in diesel technology, healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades. THE DUAL CREDIT REVOLUTION The traditional boundaries between high school and college are dissolving across North Dakota’s educational landscape. Students once faced with an either-or decision now find multiple pathways opening before graduation day. This shift is both economic necessity and educational innovation. “The one population that has been growing exponentially is our dual credit population,” Dr. Karch explains. “Dual credit opportunities for our sophomores, juniors, and seniors allow them to take a high school class that also counts as a college course.” The numbers tell the story: dual credit enrollments have reached 1,058 students, the highest in NDSCS history. Students can pursue general education requirements or explore technical fields through welding and diesel courses, among others. The acceleration goes beyond individual courses. “Last year we had some first high school graduates earning certificates within some of our school 3 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
districts, and we are continuing to see that number increase,” Dr. Karch says. Students who might have spent two years in college now enter the workforce immediately with credentials in hand. NDSCS works closely with K-12 districts throughout southeast North Dakota. Regional CTE directors coordinate programs that create what Dr. Karch calls “seamless transfer pathways.” Whether students choose NDSCS or a four-year university, their credits follow them. “We work very closely with our universities and the campus administrators to make sure that it’s seamless,” she emphasizes. The approach addresses North Dakota’s estimated 40,000 job vacancies while saving families thousands in education costs. For students uncertain about their career direction, dual credit programs offer lowrisk exploration of fields ranging from healthcare to precision agriculture. HIGH-PAYING TRADES AND CHANGING PERCEPTIONS The old stereotypes about technical education persist, but economic reality tells a different story. Skilled trades workers across North Dakota command salaries that rival and often exceed those of four-year degree holders. Parents who once pushed university as the only path to success now watch plumbers and diesel technicians build thriving careers. “These are actually very high-paying jobs that require entrepreneurial skills and provide lucrative pathways for many graduates to provide for their family,” notes the discussion about changing perceptions.The shift follows broader economic trends. Manufacturing, construction, and transportation sectors desperate for workers have driven wages upward, creating opportunities unimaginable a generation ago. Dr. Karch sees the pendulum swinging back toward practical education. “I think we’re in one of the greatest opportunities for all of our students and adult learners because none of us fit into a box,” she says.“The greatest thing higher education can do for everyone is have all these various different pathways because everyone has different interests or sees themselves working in different environments.” 4 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
Students discover passions they never knew existed. “If they have a passion for doing something and you can marry that to their work, it doesn’t even feel like work anymore,” Dr. Karch observes. “I hear that from a lot of students. They didn’t know that this existed, and they get excited to come to school every single day.” The enthusiasm translates into tangible results. NDSCS graduates in transportation, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical fields often are approached with multiple job offers before completing their programs. Employers recognize that technical expertise combined with problem-solving abilities creates workers ready for tomorrow’s challenges. INDUSTRY-DRIVEN EDUCATION Corporate logos line the hallways at NDSCS, but these aren’t mere sponsorships. John Deere, Caterpillar, Komatsu, and Case IH maintain deep partnerships that blur the lines between classroom and workplace. Students learn on the same equipment they’ll operate after graduation, trained by instructors who stay current through industry connections. “We have partnered with business and industry,” says Terry Marohl, Associate Dean of Transportation.“We have some standalone industry programs. We work very closely with the dealers. Business and industry partners provide training so that the students are really cutting edge.”The partnerships aren’t just about equipment. “There’s a student-dealer relationship where students, upon completion of their schooling, are not looking for work. They already have a job when they start.” This model repeats across departments. HVAC, plumbing, and electrical programs follow similar patterns, with industry partners shaping curriculum through advisory boards. “We have advisory boards with all of our CTE programs,” Dr. Karch explains. “Business and industry partners will loan us equipment to make sure our students are working on the latest, greatest technology out there.” The 97% job placement rate validates this approach. “Graduation is on Friday. On Monday, all of our 5 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
WAHPETON | FARGO | ONLINE Information based on 2024 NDSCS data. NDSCS.edu THE WAY TO COLLEGE Explore the 100+ academic options at NDSCS and go from college to a high-demand career in an affordable two years. ■ 75% of degree-seeking students attend tuition-free ■ Over $1.6 million in available scholarships ■ Academic programs in high-demand career fields PLUS get the full student life experience in Wahpeton with residence halls, athletics, clubs, events and more! NDSCS SET TO LAUNCH AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) is set to relaunch its historic Aviation Maintenance Technology program in Fall 2025 at its Fargo campus. Originally established in 1928 and discontinued in the 1950s, the program is being revived to address the growing demand for skilled aviation maintenance technicians. The revitalized program offers both an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate in Aviation Maintenance Technology, providing students with comprehensive training in aircraft systems, engines, and airframes. In partnership with the Fargo Jet Center, students will benefit from hands-on experience in state-of-theart labs located near Hector International Airport. Supported by a $300,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NDSCS is developing the program to meet FAA Part 147 certification standards. This initiative aims to create a pipeline of qualified technicians ready to meet the industry’s needs. Enrollment for the inaugural cohort is now open, with the first class of 20 students scheduled to begin in Fall 2025. For more information or to apply, visit NDSCS Aviation Maintenance Technology.
students in partnership programs show up to work,” Dr. Karch notes.“They’re ready to go because they’ve already been doing internships at their dealerships.” Students wear uniforms matching industry standards. Classrooms simulate real work environments. David Cooper, Director of Facilities Management, emphasizes that every decision centers on one question: “How does this help the student? How does this meet the new instructional needs? How does it fulfill the goals of developing the workforce?” INFRASTRUCTURE AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES Physical expansion at NDSCS mirrors the state’s economic ambitions. Cranes and construction crews work to transform ideas into concrete reality, building facilities that will train workers for industries still evolving.The investment signals confidence in North Dakota’s future despite current workforce challenges. “We’re adding a $20 million expansion to our precision ag building,” Cooper announces.“It’s going 7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
to be opening later this fall or early winter with a large expansion to the diesel program as well, which is wrapped up within the precision ag.” The college pursues an aggressive growth target: 80,000 student credit hours by 2030. Current enrollment trends suggest the goal remains within reach. Technology drives both curriculum and infrastructure decisions.“The North Dakota University system has an AI task force that we’re actively involved with,” Dr. Karch explains. “They’re helping show us best practices, guiding us in policies and procedures across all of our 11 institutions.”The landscape shifts daily. “Jobs around AI don’t even exist today. It’s an evolving landscape that we’re trying to participate in and be responsive to.” Digital literacy requirements now span the entire university system.“We’ve been working very closely, K through 12 and higher ed, with digital literacy and cybersecurity, on how to be safe on the internet,” Dr. Karch says. “More importantly, how to navigate 8 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
cyberspace ethically and responsibly.” Students learn to think critically about emerging technologies. “What we’re talking about today, a year from now could be something different because technology is changing so fast,” she notes. The college ensures graduates won’t be surprised by technological shifts in their chosen fields. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND THE ROAD AHEAD Regional partnerships form the backbone of North Dakota’s workforce strategy. Business leaders, educators, and government officials recognize that solving labor shortages requires coordinated effort. The Fargo-Moorhead region exemplifies this collaborative approach through initiatives that bring diverse stakeholders together. “The Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber just had their Midwest Summits,” Dr. Karch says. “They put on a Midwest summit quarterly. This past week they did the Agriculture Midwest Summit, bringing in international leaders, national leaders, regional leaders to talk about agriculture, agribusiness, AgTech.” Discussions range from autonomous tractors to supply chain challenges. “In those conversations are businesses, farmers, ranchers, higher education, high school superintendents, principals.The Chamber does an exceptional job bringing key partners together.” New facilities expand NDSCS’s reach.“We’re building a Career Innovation Center in South Fargo that will be a clear connection and collaboration with our high school students coming there to take CTE classes as well as college students,” Dr. Karch explains. The 87,000-square-foot facility, opening August 2025, will serve 3,800 individuals annually. Aviation maintenance training launches this fall through partnerships with Fargo Jet Center. Looking ahead, Dr. Karch remains cautiously optimistic. “While I’d like to say here’s my list of programs we’re going to launch in the next 18 months, every summer we do annual reviews of our academic program portfolio,” she says. “We also do extensive reviews looking at data and trends, what’s currently happening and what the shortages are.” 9 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
NDSCS continues reshaping its programs as North Dakota’s economy transforms. With record-breaking enrollment, expanding facilities, and deepening industry partnerships, the college demonstrates how two-year institutions can drive regional prosperity. The workforce crisis that challenges the state today may well become tomorrow’s opportunity for growth. PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n North Dakota State College of Science www.ndscs.edu NDSCS offers over 100 academic options across two North Dakota locations. Students choose from degrees, diplomas, and certificates in technical and liberal arts fields. With oncampus living, athletics, performing arts, and scholarships. NDSCS delivers hands-on education, workforce training, and student support to prepare graduates for real-world success. 10 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
WWW.NDSCS.EDU WWW.BUSINESSVIEWMAGAZINE.COM AS FEATURED IN BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE North Dakota State College of Science
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