Central Lakes College will be making program changes for fall semester to better serve students and provide opportunity for growth in programming. The college plans to expand manufacturing and agricultural programs at the Staples campus and move media programs currently based in Staples to the Brainerd campus.
As part of CLC's plan to offer world-class education, the Staples campus will be expanding and adding programs to meet the changing needs of the economy. With the increase in the manufacturing sector and the acquisition of the U.S. Department of Labor grant to purchase new equipment, CLC is expanding the instructional area of the current manufacturing programs at Staples. This will include expanding the machining and robotic automation programs footprint at the Staples campus, while adding robotic welding and customized training services in related areas. "Our goal is to be the top manufacturing education provider in the Minnesota" states Christopher Hadfield, Dean of Career and Technical Programs. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Manufacturing is the third largest industry in the state with 13 percent of all jobs (292,031 positions).
The CLC Staples campus also plans to add agricultural programs. CLC is the lead institution and part of a larger consortium of colleges forming the Minnesota Center of Excellence in Agriculture. Agriculture is another area expected to see significant employment growth in the region. New agricultural programs will be developed through partnerships with the MN Department of Agriculture, the University of Minnesota, Ridgewater College, Northland Community and Technical College, and others.
The Brainerd campus will also see an expansion in programming for fall semester. Photography, Videography, and Graphic Design will be moved from the Staples to the Brainerd campus. These programs represent the latest technologies used in the industry with curriculum that matches employable skills and industry standards.
All of these program changes represent Central Lakes College's commitment to providing the best education and highest quality workforce for the community and regions that it serves.
