Corridor Region Build My Future Event a Success

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) in partnership with Northwest Iowa STEM and other local partners hosted an inaugural Build My Future hands-on career event for over 750 high school students in the four-county region of Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties on Thursday at the Clay County Regional Events Center.

Build My Future is a hands-on career experience event that originated in Springfield, Missouri, in 2017 to showcase career opportunities in the construction industry to high school students. Now there are multiple Build My Future events held throughout the Midwest, including Des Moines and Sioux City. Thursday, April 23rd marked the inaugural Build My Future event in the Corridor Region with over 50 exhibitors and 750 students from Northwest Iowa. Students were able to test their skills and learn about industries like construction, welding, healthcare, HVAC, first responders, and many more.

“We know from conversations with our companies that a better workforce pipeline is needed locally, and we want students to know what kinds of jobs are available to them right here at home,” shared Corridor Senior VP of Economic Development Trevor Smith. “By having businesses provide hands-on experiences for these students, they are getting a real glimpse at career opportunities available to them in a variety of industries.”

The Corridor and Northwest Iowa STEM partnered with Midwestern Mechanical, K&W Electric, local chambers and local schools for the event. Key sponsors include Bomgaars, Sumz Consulting, Talon Development, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, ITC Midwest, K&W Electric, Lakes Regional Hospital, Midwestern Mechanical, Pure Fishing and Woodruff Construction.

“It takes a team to put together an event like this, and we are thankful to our partners and sponsors who have made it possible,” said Corridor President & CEO Curt Strouth. “Together, we can create an annual event that helps cultivate the culture of building our own in Northwest Iowa.”

Check out photos of the event: 

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ABOUT THE IOWA LAKES CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is the regional economic development agency for Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties. The Iowa Lakes Corridor’s mission is to foster, encourage, promote, aid or otherwise assist in the economic development growth and development of the four-county region.