New M State certificate programs target region’s business needs

By Kayla Prasek

Minnesota State Community and Technical College will start offering two certificate programs in January that were created to meet business and industry demands in the region served by the college.

The Supervisory Leadership Essentials program will help prepare individuals for leadership roles within their companies. The second program, Industrial Workplace Certificate — Telecommunications Emphasis, will help fill the need for trained entry-level technicians in the telecommunications industry.

Both are one-year, 18-credit programs available on the college’s campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena. Classes will be taught in M State’s telepresence classrooms, which use video conferencing technology to create an in-person teaching experience.

“The creation of these two programs is an example of how M State is becoming more flexible in how we respond to meet the needs in our region,” says Carrie Brimhall, vice president of academics.

Supervisory Leadership Essentials

The Supervisory Leadership Essentials program is designed for currently employed team leaders, managers and supervisors and those seeking employment in or promotions to leadership roles. The focus is on providing a knowledge base of the practices and principles of leadership, supervision and management.

With the workforce shortage in the area, employers are increasingly aware of the need to invest in their employees and prepare them for leadership roles, Brimhall says. “Employees are often promoted to a supervisory position because they are really good in their current role, yet they struggle with the transition from peer to leader in the organization,” she says. “This program will provide the knowledge and practical skills for effective leadership.”

Telecommunications Emphasis

The Industrial Workplace Certificate program with an emphasis in telecommunications will teach the basics of working within the telecommunications industry and installation of fiber optic networks. Students will also gain experience through an internship program. The program is intended to prepare students to be residential and commercial cable and fiber optic installers and technicians.

“Several local companies have expressed the need for entrylevel technicians within the industry,” says Steve Erickson, technical program dean. “This is designed to meet the needs of companies through a short, relevant certificate for workers.”

Erickson says he anticipates demand for telecommunications technicians will grow as the result of the 2016 Minnesota Legislature’s approval of a $35 million investment in Minnesota’s Border-to-Border Broadband grant program, which is intended to build infrastructure in rural areas. PB