Storm Lake Iowa Central Buena Vista Charter School

Education that Leads to Careers ~ Skills Lacking ~ Not Jobs

21st Century Jobs Require 21st Century Skills

Many people may be surprised to learn that companies are having a hard time filling jobs.  Although we hear about corporate downsizing and job reductions, millions of jobs remain unfilled due to a shortage of properly trained candidates.  The gap between the demand for well-trained employees and the supply of skilled workers grows wider every year, say experts at the Association for Career and Technical Education. 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 18 of the 20 fastest growing occupations within the next decade will require career and technical education.

One solution to the skill gap problem will be to provide students with greater exposure to programs that prepare them for successful employment. That’s just one of the goals of the new Storm Lake, Iowa Central, Buena Vista Charter School. Storm Lake High School students who participate in the Charter School will have access to Iowa Central Community College career programs at no cost for tuition & books.

Career and technical education advising and mentoring available through the Charter School will help youth choose from a wide range of careers-from registered nurse to a manufacturing maintenance technician.

Career and technical education subject areas and programs available through Iowa Central for Storm Lake Charter School students are in the areas of:  Trade and Industrial ( automotive technician, computer networking & repair, carpentry, electrical maintenance, industrial maintenance, machinist, tool and die makers, diesel technology, biofuels & biotechnology; automotive collision repair, graphics and web technology, welding, computer-aided drafting & computer numerical control technician); Health Occupations (nursing, radiography, dental hygienist, medical assistant, paramedic and medical lab technician; culinary arts & restaurant hospitality management; Agriculture (careers related to food and fiber production and agribusiness); Business (logistics & transportation management, accounting, business administration, marketing, management, information technology and entrepreneurship); Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, and Broadcasting are also offered by the Storm Lake Charter School.

Each of the career programs offered through the Charter School may require varying levels and years of education. Academic counselors and mentors will design an individual career plan for each Storm Lake Charter School student based on the student’s career goals and academic abilities.

Daily transportation from Storm Lake to Fort Dodge is also provided in order to access a number of the career and technical programs which are offered at the Fort Dodge Center of Iowa Central.

Students may also choose to complete an Associates of Arts degree with an elective emphasis in a number of pre-professional career fields including: Medicine, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Optometry, Engineering, Dentistry, Law, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Finance, Accounting, Banking, Elementary and High School Teacher Education. The Charter School is open to all Storm Lake High-School students. For more information on the Charter School contact Jodi Theisen @ 732-8065 Ext. 2116