Summit Academy OIC

Thank you, Opus Foundation, for your generous investment in our Construction training program. We’re grateful for their partnership in preparing our students for jobs in green construction. Thanks to partners like Opus, we’re Wired for Change–training our students for leading in key roles that sustain our communities and are thoughtful of the environment while fostering greater self-sufficiency and career growth.

For Edina, enrolling in Summit’s carpentry training was the first step in building a stable, fulfilling future. In just 20 weeks, Edina gained technical and professional development skills that prepared her to be successful in the construction industry. Ultimately, Edina was hired as a union laborer for Knutson Construction Services and now has over 12 years of experience in the field. Read more about Edina’s journey here: https://bit.ly/4hPK4LS #WomenBuildingFutures #TradesTraining #WomenInConstruction

Summit's President & CEO Leroy West presented to the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate recently along with Summit alumni Dami Mafe '21. Thank you to Representative Dave Baker and Senator Bobby Joe Champion for authoring these impactful bills in the House and Senate. We look forward to the incredible year ahead and continued work to place skilled and determined Summit graduates into the Minnesota workforce—especially for in-demand industries like construction, healthcare, financial services, and IT.

A 2023 study by the Institute for Women's Policy Research found that only 3% of young women are encouraged to pursue careers in the trades, compared to 35% of young men. Summit Academy is changing this and empowering women to build their futures in the construction industry—which will positively impact an industry that needs more skilled workers. Our year-round, 20-week construction training equips students like Miracle with industry-recognized credentials and nearly 600 hours of technical expertise and professional development needed to launch successful careers. By removing barriers to entry and fostering leadership, Summit helps women secure stable jobs, achieve wage equity, and build lasting careers in the trades. #WomenBuildingFutures #WomenInConstruction #SkilledTrades

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the fastest-growing jobs in the U.S. over the next decade, outside of healthcare, are technology-related. Yet, according to Spiceworks’ 2025 State of IT Report, over 60% of tech leaders agree that hiring top talent is a major obstacle. Summit Academy is the Twin Cities IT workforce solution. Summit connects employers to a reliable talent pipeline by equipping IT graduates with hands-on training, industry-recognized credentials, and high-demand skills. In just 20 weeks, our accredited IT training equips students with CompTIA A+ and CompTIA IT Fundamentals certifications and over 200 hours of soft skills development to ensure they enter the workforce skilled, confident, and ready to make an impact. Looking to add motivated, skilled IT talent to your team? Contact our Workforce Solutions team at?[email protected]?. #TechHiring #TalentPipeline #FutureOfWork

Team Summit is all in on March Madness! Students and staff alike brought their A game today while showcasing favorite college teams from around the country. Looking forward to a great tournament season ??

Through our partnerships with local employers—including Knutson Construction Services—Summit is creating opportunities for women to build their future in living-wage, in-demand careers in the construction industry. Employment in the construction sector is expended to grow exponentially in 2025, and many employers are struggling to find qualified talent. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, despite being almost 50% of the workforce, women make up only 10.9% of the construction workforce. As the construction industry prepares to meet the growing demand for skilled talent, making it easier for women to join the workforce is critical to sustaining the industry. That’s where Summit comes in. Summit’s construction training program helps eliminate barriers and empowers women to build their future in the construction industry. Our year-round, 20-week construction training equips women to address immediate industry needs and ensure they graduate with the exact skills they need to perform on the job. By investing in the next generation of tradeswomen, Summit and our partners are strengthening the Twin Cities economy and community. Looking to hire skilled, qualified women to help your business thrive? Contact our Workforce Solutions team at [email protected] today. #WomenBuildingFutures #FutureOfWork #WomenInConstruction

We extend a grateful thanks to the Wilson Foundation Minnesota for their partnership in the last year. Through their incredible generosity, Summit Academy OIC has been able to power up our Electrician and Carpentry training programs—ensuring more students stay on track, earn industry-recognized credentials, and find pathways out of poverty. “My connection to Summit Academy began over 25 years ago, and it is wonderful to see that it continues to make tremendous impacts in the lives of youth and adults in the community through workforce training and capacity building,” says Andrea Nettles, Foundation Manager. “The Wilson Foundation recognizes the impact Summit Academy and organizations like it have on individuals looking to better their lives and advance in their careers, and we know that for this to continue, they need support.” The Wilson Foundation saw the power of investing in our community—will you? Join us in building futures that strengthen our entire community. https://bit.ly/41CC22D

This Women in Construction week, we are excited to feature Emma, a current Summit electrician student who is Wired for Change. After graduating from Summit and entering her apprenticeship program, Emma aspires to one day own her very own company and employ other female laborers. Women like Emma are paving the way for more women to enter the trades. We are Wired for Change and training the future female electrician workforce of the Twin Cities. https://bit.ly/4kwccWI

Kyla enrolled in Summit’s electrician training to build a future in the Twin Cities after moving from Chicago to Minneapolis. In just 20 weeks, she completed the career training, gaining industry-recognized technical skills and hands-on, real-world experience. Now, Kyla works at BAE Systems as an Electrical Mechanical Technician and advocates for at-risk youth, helping them explore careers in the construction industry and empowering them to build their future—just like she did. Read more about Kyla’s journey here: https://bit.ly/4ibrwGC #WomenBuildingFutures #TradesTrainging #WomenInConstruction