Local students get a head start: new partnerships forge direct paths to future careers
By M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
Soon, local students will have many more doors opening to them: a partnership that aims to create a direct path to employment opportunities. In a move poised to shape the future of Northwestern North Dakota’s workforce, the Bakken Area Skills Center (BASC) and the Williston Basin Career & Technical Education (WBCTE) Center have announced a collaboration with Fargo-based software and services company, Golden Path Solutions. This partnership aims to bridge the gap between local employers and high school students, offering invaluable opportunities for both.
Rather than waiting for the workforce of tomorrow, local leaders have formed the partnership, which seeks to actively build it today. According to a recent press release, the initiative will see employers across the region become “sustaining partners” with either or both of the CTE centers. By investing in these centers, businesses gain direct access to a pool of motivated students eager to explore career pathways in fields ranging from agriculture and health sciences to trades and industry. “Partnerships like this will transform the future of our students by connecting career pathways, fostering an innovative, skilled workforce, and delivering industry-driven solutions,” emphasized Dr. Wayne Heckaman, Director of the BASC. “Together, we are building cutting-edge training programs and real-world learning opportunities for our students.”
Echoing this sentiment, Kenzi Brown, Director of the WBCTE Center, stated, “We are so excited to partner with industry leaders across our region to better equip our students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce. We look forward to working together with our local businesses and community partners to create programs that meet the needs of our growing region.”
Golden Path Solutions will play a crucial role by connecting these partnerships through their online platform, Compass. This will allow employers to offer work-based learning opportunities, create engaging career profiles, and build long-term strategies for connecting with students.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our three organizations to partner together to help drive the future workforce,” said Patrick Mineer, Founder and CEO of Golden Path Solutions. “We’re looking forward to building connections between employers and schools in the region, which will also benefit students as they explore their career options.”
The North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) is already expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration. “Member companies of the NDPC are committed to engaging with the future workforce in Western North Dakota,” said NDPC President Ron Ness. “By partnering with Career and Technical Education Centers such as the Bakken Area Skills Center and Williston Basin CTE Center, we are creating valuable opportunities to connect with students exploring career pathways.”
For local businesses, becoming a sustaining partner offers numerous benefits, including increased visibility among students and school professionals, access to training facilities, and the opportunity to influence CTE curriculum to align with industry needs. Different partnership levels are available, ranging from Advocate to Platinum, with increasing benefits and opportunities for engagement.
Education advocates hope the initiative will be a step toward ensuring local students have the skills and connections they need to thrive in the local economy. By working directly with employers, the CTE centers are aiming to provide real-world relevance to classroom learning.
Employers interested in becoming a sustaining partner with the BASC can visit www.basccte.com/aboutcontact/basc-foundation, while information for the WBCTE Center is available at www.wbctecenter.org/o/wbctec. This collaborative effort promises a brighter future for McKenzie County students and the businesses that will employ them.
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