Last week, Southeast Polk High School proudly hosted the Skilled Trades Extension Center Open House. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to attend and support this exciting new chapter for our students and community!

The event welcomed a wide variety of guests, from families with younger students exploring future career pathways to people from local businesses and organizations. A special highlight of the event was seeing our very own high school students—who not only take classes at the Skilled Trades Center but also helped build it—leading their families through the space they had first-hand experience in creating.

Attendees had the opportunity to visit with two of our high school industrial technology teachers and our associate superintendent, who were available to answer questions and share more about the programs housed in the new facility. The center is designed to give future SEP students invaluable, hands-on experiences in areas like Construction Technology, Electrical, HVAC & Plumbing, and Introduction to Apprenticeship — all programs authorized by the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship.

We are excited about the future being shaped inside the Skilled Trades Extension Center and thankful for the incredible community support that made this 100% donation-funded project a reality. We look forward to watching even more students discover and develop their skills in the years ahead!

Thank you again to everyone who attended and continues to support the vision for our students’ futures!

Next up for many of these students? The 37th Annual Tech Expo that will take place at SEP High School on May 9, 2025. Watch for more about that!