Summit Academy OIC

Summit’s carpentry and electrician trainings give women the foundation to succeed and the power to build their own future in the construction industry. Our year-round, 20-week training equips women with industry-recognized certifications and 600 hours of technical expertise and critical soft skills development. Summit’s female construction graduates are motivated, resilient, and eager to make an impact in the trades. Learn more about how Summit is preparing women for successful careers in construction, and how you can get involved: https://bit.ly/4jTVGim #WomenBuildingFutures #TradesTraining #WomenInConstruction

The 22nd Annual Golf Classic Summer Party will be held on June 9 at Bearpath Golf & Country Club. Your support will help train resilient individuals in the Twin Cities through career and technical training offered at no cost to students. Join us for cocktails at 5:00 p.m. followed by a short program from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and the chance to help transform the lives of our students through your support. Hosted this year by Miss Shannan Paul, this event is a top fundraiser of its kind in our community. Seating is limited! Learn more about your ticketing options and register today at http://bit.ly/gcsp25tix

Between strong partnerships with leading construction employers like Ryan Companies US, Inc. and trailblazing Summit alumni like Justice Smith of Noor Companies, we are collectively working to address the workforce shortage by adding more women into the field. The construction industry is experiencing a growing labor shortage — in March alone, Minnesota added 1,900 new construction jobs, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Without investing in women and giving them the tools to succeed, we risk leaving an entire pool of talent behind and letting the workforce gap continue to grow. With the goal of being a role model for other women, Justice enrolled in Summit’s construction training and is now helping pave the way for more women to confidently build their futures in the trades. After 8 years in the industry, she’s now a Superintendent at Noor Companies—the largest woman- and minority-owned general contractor in Minnesota. By investing in women, Summit’s investing in the future of construction in the Twin Cities and beyond. We’re proud to equip women like Justice with the skills and confidence to lead and support the infrastructure needs of our community. #WomenBuildingFutures #WomenInConstruction #TradesTraining

In honor of National Volunteer Week this week, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible volunteers who make a difference every day at Summit Academy OIC. Whether they’re tutoring students, supporting students through mock interviews, or sharing their expertise in the classroom, their time, energy and heart are helping to change lives and build stronger communities. We thank our volunteers for showing up, lifting up, and believing in the power of change, hope, and opportunity. #ThankYouVolunteers #VolunteerAppreciationWeek #SummitAcademyOIC #ChangingLives

We're excited to introduce you to our new Admissions Recruiter, Russ Richards, who joined the Summit team earlier this month! Here's what Russ has to say: "I know what it’s like to want more but not know where to start. As an Admissions Recruiter, I’m here to make that first step feel less intimidating and to help guide students through the process." Welcome to the Summit team, Russ!

Millennials and Generation Z are filling the gaps in our electrician workforce today. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that these two generations account for 54% of the total workforce across industries. With a growing preference for skilled trades and green energy jobs, creating an opportunity to attract new talent into these critical sectors will continue to be of great importance. Summit is Wired for Change and training the future electrician workforce for the Twin Cities—and beyond. #WiredforChange #Electricians #Workforce

We are proud to announce that our IT Instructor, Nada Hinton, recently earned a Gold Medal in the SkillsUSA Minnesota state competition for Cybersecurity! Nada will now be competing at the national level in June and will soon graduate from Hennepin Tech with a degree in Cyber Defense. Congrats, Nada! 🥇

Summit Academy OIC wishes to thank the Graco Foundation for their investment in our 2025 Capital Campaign. As a 20-year supporter of Summit Academy, their recent capital gift will help provide the infrastructure to help train individuals for better jobs while meeting a vital need in our community. “The Graco Foundation is proud to support Summit Academy. Summit’s programs are instrumental in helping individuals further their education to establish successful career paths enabling them to work towards improved self-worth and self-sufficiency. Their goals align perfectly with the Graco Foundation’s mission.” - Mark Sheahan, President and Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Graco Foundation.

Emily went from bartending to building a career she loves in the electrical field. After enrolling in Summit’s construction training, Emily discovered her passion, gained hands-on experience, and found the confidence to launch a whole new career. Now a second-year International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) apprentice, she’s well on her way to becoming a journeyman—and someday, a foreman. Read Emily’s full story and see how Summit helped her spark a new path: https://bit.ly/4cCZHFu #WomenBuildingFutures #Tradeswomen #SkilledTrades

Thank you to Steve Buchanan and Microsoft for welcoming Summit IT Specialist students to the Microsoft Innovation Hub in Minneapolis. Summit, along with our employer partners, is working to bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world tech innovation to prepare students for their future careers. During this visit, students had the opportunity not only to connect with Microsoft employees, but also to explore the Hub—gaining hands-on exposure to emerging technologies and careers in the industry. Experiences like this not only inspire, but show students the real-world impact and application of the skills they’re building every day at Summit. #Innovation #FutureofIT #WorkforceDevelopment