Chamber ‘signing day’ offers career clarity, connections

Waconia High School sent three more graduates into the Waconia works world on Tuesday, May 7, as WHS and the local business community held their annual signing day.

Waconia Works Signing Day was established four years ago to highlight local graduates signing on with a local company in the areas of manufacturing or the trades, and to recognize the local businesses that provide those opportunities. The event is a partnership with Waconia Public Schools, the Waconia Chamber of Commerce, and participating companies in what is known as the Business Education Network.

The thrust of the day: We recognize student-athletes for their college choices, why not students fulfilling their career passions and learning useful skills to fill needed jobs in manufacturing and the trades.

Class of 2024 students and employers recognized last Tuesday are Natalie Uecker with Sackett-Waconia, the first female signee, who said she originally connected with Sackett during a tour with an intro to engineering class and is now assisting the design team and support her education at Hennepin Tech; Carter Young with Nordic Components who will join the team as a machine operator and further his education in mechanical engineering at the University of North Dakota; and Max Grell who will learn the plumbing trade through on-the-job training as an apprentice with Diversified Plumbing and Heating.

In addition to signing on with their employers, participants, families and attendees heard from WHS Principal Paul Sparby, Chamber President Christine Fenner, instructors Peter Brown, Sam Porthan and Mike Jensen, business leaders, and signing day alums who shard an update on their experiences.

ISD 110 Superintendent Brian Gersich closed the morning speaking to the clarity and connections afforded by the Waconia Works partnership – some career clarity for students graduating from high school, which was not the case for him and many other graduates, Gersich pointed out, and connections made through influential teachers, from returning graduates, and business connections in the community.