Career Academy General Info
Career Academies allow students to explore a given career pathway while earning both high school and college credit, as well as industry-recognized credentials. Students attend college classes with a cohort of high school students in their chosen pathway for part of their school day and then spend the remainder of their day at their high school taking required classes. Many classes are hands-on and include partnerships with local industry partners.
I’m interested in learning more about the Career Academy!
Contact
- 712-324-5061
- 800-352-4907 ext. 170
- Brenda Sandbulte
Sioux Center
1382 4th Ave NE Sioux Center, IA
Sheldon
NCC’s Campus, 603 West Park Street Sheldon, IA
Benefits
- No tuition costs for classes completed while in high school
- Explore career options in a career field and decide if it is right for you
- In-person instruction
- Gain exposure to hands-on experience in a career field
- Cut training time by up to half
- Earn an industry recognized certification(s) (see below)
- Develop career focus and achieve academic and personal goals (or career readiness skills)
- Help ease the transition to college
- Enhance self-esteem and self-confidence
- Small group instruction with students with similar career interests
Student Story Stephanie Hernandez
I’ve taken a lot of college classes, but this helped narrow my focus. The real-life observations were very interesting! I was able to watch a tonsilectomy. Following graduation from high school I plan to enroll seamlessly into the Practical Nursing program at NCC.
Healthcare Pathway
Career Academy Sioux Center, IA
Sioux Center
Pathways Offered:
Marcus
Coming Soon!
Industry Recognized Credentials Available
Automotive and Diesel
• Precision Measuring Instruments Certification (Snap-on)*
• Mechanical and Electronic Torque Certification (Snap-on)*
• Automotive Scanner Diagnostics Certification
*earned upon completion of the program
Education
• Paraeducator Certificate
Engineering Design Technology
• Engineering Design Certificate*
• OSHA10 Card
Health Careers
• CPR Certification
• First Aid Certification
• Preparation for CNA exam
• Preparation for State of Iowa Pharmacy Technician Exam
• Entry to Practical Nursing
• Entry to Radiologic Technology at NCC after completing PSY111 and other courses.
IT Technology
• IT Diploma
• CompTIA A+
• Technical Support Certification
Welding
• Welding Certificate
• OSHA10 Card
• One year of courses in fall graduate with diploma in Production Welding
• Entry into Advanced Welding Technology Associate of Applied Science degree
*For the Nurse Aid class, students will need to purchase a scrub top and pants, any color and pay for the cost of 2 step TB screening; students will need to submit and pass a background check and a physical prior to class.
Contact Brenda Sandbulte for separate handouts explaining the complete flow of classes Freshmen through Senior year and following graduation. Exact courses may vary. Contact Brenda for full details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Information for students
Concurrent Enrollment: Earning both high school and college credit for the same course.
Industry Recognized Certificates: Certificates you can earn that will make you more employable in the particular field. For example, the CNA certificate is a prerequisite for most health careers.
A Career Academy is a specialized educational program that allows you to explore career options in a variety of career fields, helping you develop a career focus, as well as provide the hands-on experiences that some high schools cannot. The Career Academy will provide you with concurrent enrollment often putting them ahead with college credits. It will provide you with industry recognized credentials.
FREE tuition costs for classes completed while in high school.
- You could earn industry recognized credentials that can assist you with future advancement. Possessing an industry recognized credential could provide you with employment in your career interest while attending school. You might even be able to find a part-time job in your future career field.
- You will be able to explore a potential career as well as develop relationships and connections with people in that industry. This networking could lead to a future job.
- You will gain exposure to hands-on experiences that will no doubt prove invaluable. It could possibly cut training time by up to half.
- You might discover that a particular career is not for you, and that in itself is a valuable lesson.
- College can be quite intimidating for some students, and the Career Academy can help ease your transition between high school and post-secondary options.
- The Career Academy offers small group instruction filled with students who have the similar career interests as you do.
- You’ll meet other students from area school districts that share your interests and possible career goals. These individuals could potentially be your future classmates or co-workers.
• Talk to your counselor
• Fill out the Application
• Once accepted, you’ll be contacted by the Coordinator to set up your class schedule
Industry Recognized Credentials Available Through the Career Academy (as of 2024)
Education
- Paraeducator Certificate
Engineering Design Technology
- Engineering Design Certificate*
- OSHA10 Card
IT Technology
- CompTIA A+
- Technical Support Certification
Health Careers
- CPR Certification
- First Aid Certification
- Preparation for CNA exam
- Preparation for State of Iowa Pharmacy Technician Exam
- Entry to Practical Nursing
- Entry to Radiologic Technology at NCC after completing PSY111 and other courses.
Welding
- Welding Certificate
- One year of courses in fall graduate with diploma in Production Welding
- Entry into Advanced Welding Technology Associate of Applied Science degree
Iowa currently has 2.9% unemployment, with Northwest Iowa’s job predictions, remaining at below the Iowa and national levels for unemployment. As of August 2024, there are 81,000 job openings in the state of Iowa. According to the United States Chamber of Commerce, Iowa’s unemployment rate is classified as severe.
Compare that to the national levels of 4.1% unemployment or over six million people without work. There are approximately eight million job openings around the country, but only 6.8 million workers to fill them. According to the United States Chamber of Commerce,
We have lots of jobs but not enough workers to fill them.
Information for parents
A Career Academy is a specialized educational program that allows your son or daughter to explore career options in a variety of career fields, helping them develop a career focus, as well as provide the hands-on experiences that some high schools cannot. The Career Academy will provide students with concurrent enrollment often putting them ahead with college credits. It will provide them with industry recognized credentials.
- Your student will incur no tuition costs for classes completed while in high school. This is called concurrent enrollment, so while enrolled in the Career Academy a student can earn both high school and college credit.
- Your son or daughter could earn industry recognized credentials that can assist them with future advancement. Possessing an industry recognized credential could provide students with employment in their career interest while also attending school. There may even be an opportunity to be employed part-time in their career interest. For example, a student could earn their CNA certificate allowing them to work at a local nursing home while at the same time working towards a degree in nursing.
- Your student will be able to explore a potential career as well as develop relationships and connections with people in that industry.
- Your student will gain exposure to hands-on experiences that will no doubt prove invaluable. It could possibly cut training time by up to half.
- Your son or daughter might discover that a particular career is not for them, and that in itself is a valuable lesson.
- College can be quite intimidating for some students, and the Career Academy can help ease the transition between high school and post-secondary options.
- The Career Academy offers small group instruction filled with students who have the similar career interests as your child.
This program is designed for student’s junior and senior year. Once accepted and enrolled, they would advance through a sequential program that at the conclusion they will have earned college credit and industry recognized credentials. If your son or daughter is interested, they should talk to their guidance counselor and fill out the appropriate application.
Information for schools
A Career Academy is a specialized educational program that allows your son or daughter to explore career options in a variety of career fields, helping them develop a career focus, as well as provide the hands-on experiences that some high schools cannot. The Career Academy will provide students with concurrent enrollment often putting them ahead with college credits. It will provide them with industry recognized credentials.
- Your student will incur no tuition costs for classes completed while in high school. This is called concurrent enrollment, so while enrolled in the Career Academy a student can earn both high school and college credit.
- Your son or daughter could earn industry recognized credentials that can assist them with future advancement. Possessing an industry recognized credential could provide students with employment in their career interest while also attending school. There may even be an opportunity to be employed part-time in their career interest. For example, a student could earn their CNA certificate allowing them to work at a local nursing home while at the same time working towards a degree in nursing.
- Your student will be able to explore a potential career as well as develop relationships and connections with people in that industry.
- Your student will gain exposure to hands-on experiences that will no doubt prove invaluable. It could possibly cut training time by up to half.
- Your son or daughter might discover that a particular career is not for them, and that in itself is a valuable lesson.
- College can be quite intimidating for some students, and the Career Academy can help ease the transition between high school and post-secondary options.
- The Career Academy offers small group instruction filled with students who have the similar career interests as your child.
This program is designed for student’s junior and senior year. Once accepted and enrolled, they would advance through a sequential program that at the conclusion they will have earned college credit and industry recognized credentials. If your son or daughter is interested, they should talk to their guidance counselor and fill out the appropriate application.
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