Building the Future
The future is now at Summit Academy! We have exciting new developments to share, including the launch of the Butch and Lucky Levy Virtual Reality Lab that brings cutting-edge technology to our trainings and programs. We've also begun renovating a newly vacated space on campus to build out classrooms and lab space for our newest training offering. Read on for all the details on these new developments and much more!
Advancing Workforce Success Through Our New VR Lab
We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our cutting-edge Butch and Lucky Levy VR Lab, a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to enhance career training through innovative technology. This exciting new space equips individuals with the skills to succeed in today’s competitive job market through hands-on, immersive learning opportunities. The virtual reality experience represents a leap forward in workforce development, and we are proud to offer such a powerful resource to our community.
Industries such as healthcare and construction are already reaping the rewards of VR-based training, and this technology holds vast potential for enhancing future careers. Mortenson Construction, for example, highlights the value of VR in creating realistic, real-world scenarios for employees to navigate.
"VR technology helps students practice complex tasks, making learning more effective and efficient," says Chris Hinton, Construction Training Manager. "VR also helps accelerate skill acquisition by offering repeated, interactive experiences that build confidence and proficiency."
We extend heartfelt thanks to Rand and Petrina Levy, whose generous support and vision made the lab possible so that more students can access the skills for in-demand, well-paying jobs. Rand is excited for the possibilities of this technology for training, recruitment, and more. “The VR Lab as a component of learning will help accelerate the quality of the educational process,” he says. “Nothing replaces in-person actual training, but to be able to learn through a virtual reality addition should help solidify the strength of that student.”
Meeting the Demand for Electricians and Green Jobs
Summit Academy remains committed to meeting workforce demands across all training programs, including electrician training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrician jobs will grow by 11% from 2023 to 2033, driven by the need for renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, and smart grids. In response, Summit Academy expanded its electrician training by adding evening classes, preparing a workforce skilled in both current and emerging technologies.
Through this initiative, Summit students learn to lead the growing green workforce, contributing essential skills to electrify the grid and address climate change locally. By training and placing students, Summit helps diversify the workforce with talent equipped with the technical and soft skills necessary for success on the job site. We are Wired for Change.
We're Scaling Up Through Renovation
Exciting changes are coming to our main campus! With a unique opportunity arising from a recently vacated building, we're embarking on a bold renovation project that will empower us to prepare even more students to move from poverty to prosperity. Here's what's in store:
- Building out a new Dental Assistant training facility
- Consolidating all programs into a single facility
- Expanding capacity to accommodate increased enrollment
This project marks a significant milestone in our mission. It's more than just a renovation—it's an investment in the future of our students and our community.
To bring this transformative vision to life, we're seeking targeted investments to support the renovation efforts that build on the momentum created by the Scaling Up for Greater Impact campaign. Stay tuned for opportunities on how you can help make this vision a reality!
Step Up for Summit: $2 Million Challenge Grant Opportunity!
Big news! Summit Academy OIC has been awarded a $2 million challenge grant from a generous anonymous donor. This exciting opportunity spans two years, starting now, and will support our no-cost-to-student model, sustain our mission, and bolster our vision to become the premier workforce solution in the Twin Cities.
Gifts from new supporters, those who haven’t given for a while, and increased contributions from those who give consistently will be matched dollar-for-dollar and will play a vital role in meeting the challenge.
Help unlock the full $2 million grant to transform lives and build a more vibrant community with your gift today. Will you step up for Summit?
