This past May, the Explore The Trades team visited Bemidji High School in northern Minnesota—one of our 2023–2024 Skills Lab equipment grant recipients. What we found was nothing short of inspiring.
The school hosted a special event to highlight the incredible year-long efforts of its students: the construction of a full-scale home for the Bemidji community as part of the high school’s Built Construction program through the Headwaters Regional Development Commission. It was a remarkable display of skill, teamwork, and dedication—made possible in part by the new equipment provided through the Skills Lab grant, which gave students hands-on practice and training in the classroom before applying their skills on the job site.
Students were eager to showcase their work and speak about their experience. Led by instructor Tony Hommes, the class shared how the Skills Lab grant has transformed their learning environment—giving them access to professional-grade tools, boosting their confidence, and preparing them for real-world job sites.
Perhaps one of the most powerful testaments came in the form of a heartfelt email from a parent, proudly displayed in Mr. Hommes’ office. In the message, the mother of a recent graduate shared that her son had secured a job in the trades the very same day he interviewed—thanks to the skills and experience he gained through the Construction Academy at Bemidji High School. She credited the program, and Mr. Hommes’ dedication, for helping her son enter the workforce with confidence and capability.
Programs like the Skills Lab don’t just build classrooms—they build futures. We are honored to support schools like Bemidji High School and proud to see firsthand how these opportunities are changing the lives of students across the country.