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The Chisago Lakes High School Work Based Learning Program is only a couple of years old but it’s gaining a reputation among the local business community and growing.  The high school this week celebrated four of the 18 sites that are now in the program.  There were refreshments and a certificate presentation to the firms and participating students.

Program coordinator Mikelle Pohlman thanked the businesses for their support and for being open to the program, which can be a job-shadowing experience or regular employment in a position suited to the student. She thanked the school district for helping the program to function, and the families for being positive forces in pursuing this alternative opportunity.  Any interested businesspeople can contact her at the Chisago Lakes High School for more information.

Principal David Ertl said this is “real world application” of what it’s like in the workplace. Counselors channel students into sites that align with their desires for career exploration.  One student even entered the program pretty proficient in welding and knew this was his trade.  Another student plans to work for his company fulltime as soon as he graduates in Jun 2020.  

Ertl noted, it’s also a valuable process even when the specific match-up doesn’t work out.  Students discover what they are not suited for, he noted, which is equally as important as finding careers they are suited for.  

High School Counselor Amy Malloy added that she hopes the participating businesses get the word out to other businesses and the program continues to thrive.

The Work Based Learning certificates were presented to Taylor Gobel and Erik Anderson, the owner of Woodcrest Builders; to Wyoming Machine’s Traci Tapani and her student Anthony Sagendorf; Dave DeNio and his HVAC and appliance company and Zak Perron,  and to LARC (Lakes Area Roofing & Construction)owner Chad Hollister and student Mitch Hasselquist.

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