Becker High School was one of the seventeen recipients of the Central Minnesota Builders Association (CMBA) $1,000 scholarship—aimed at helping improve programs that highlight skills in the building industry.

 

Bonnie Moeller, executive director of the CMBA, stated that, in the past few years, it has been the organization’s primary goal to make a push for four-year trades by encouraging students to enter the workforce before they get to the post-secondary part of their education. 

 

Giving this money to schools who are supporting career interest in construction eliminates the struggle teachers face to find a way to offer these opportunities for their students. Essentially, the CMBA provides funding for things (tools, resources, field trips, competitions, etc.) that wouldn’t otherwise be available at these schools.

 

Becker High School had to apply and deliver a presentation at one of the membership meetings in order to be considered. The $1,000 went towards strengthening their Constructed Tech I and II programs, where students build a structure like a chicken coop or storage shed each year. 

 

Jeff Zimmer, who leads the program, said he was grateful because not only did the school receive this money, but it was also given a $125 gift card to Thomas Tools through the Tools for Schools Drive. 

 

The Tools for Schools Drive is new and allows contractors and people of the community to donate tools or money towards schools that need more items, such as sawstops, in order to keep the classroom environment safe. 

 

Due to the growing shortage of laborers in the industry, it’s crucial to be able to implement the ability to practice these skills at school, so students can get their feet wet and see if they might want to pursue these types of jobs.

 

“This scholarship has definitely made a big difference in the way students learn and in the way I teach, because when I attend CMBA meetings, I’m able to network.

 

Connecting with other contractors and teachers allows me to get feedback on my curriculum and gives me ideas of techniques to explore,” said Jeff. “I’ve never been part of a program like this; it really gives us a chance, as teachers, to promote what we do and for contractors and association members to see pictures of what the students are doing. They are always impressed,” he added.

 

The CMBA will continue to support schools with builder programs again next year, because they want to spread the word that joining the industry could be a good career choice for some students who may not have considered it an option. 

 

 “The most impactful part of my experience with this program has been watching how involved the students get,” said Bonnie. “The Sauk Rapids students raised about $8,000 on their own last year. They want this program. It’s like Christmas for them when the donated tools arrive in their classrooms, so they’re taking the time to invest in their own future.”