Transportation Showcase Fall 2022

Area high school students tour DCTC Transportation program areas

Dakota County Technical College held a Transportation Showcase Wednesday, November 16, 2022, on the DCTC campus in Rosemount, Minnesota. Students from area high schools toured the college’s five Transportation program areas. The students engaged with DCTC faculty, staff, and students along with industry leaders to learn more about the advantages of technical education while exploring the numerous career opportunities in the transportation sector.

The Transportation Showcase featured hands-on activities and interactive presentations. Experts in their fields, instructors in the Auto Body Collision Technology, Automotive Technician, GM ASEP, Heavy Construction Equipment Technology, and Heavy Duty Truck Technology programs greeted the students in the college’s state-of-the-art labs. Employers from local dealerships, manufacturers, and businesses introduced the students to the latest industry products.

Jason Wetzel, MBA, transportation, construction, and manufacturing dean at DCTC, thanked faculty, staff, and students who worked as a team to make this Transportation Showcase the most successful to date.

“Numerous compliments were given from all parties participating in the event,” Dean Wetzel said. “Many folks who took part in previous showcases mentioned that this was the smoothest running event they have attended. Specifically, they liked the size of student groups, organization/structure of the stations, and flow of the event. So many of you went above and beyond to create a wonderful environment and well-run day.”

Dean Wetzel thanked the following college areas for making the Transportation Showcase a fun and successful event:

Student ambassadors for giving the high school student tours
Marketing for doing a great job covering the event
Transportation Center of Excellence for bringing two program stations
IT for setting up the rooms
Facilities for setting up the building
DCTC Foundation for helping secure funds from industry to provide the food
Academic side of the house for assisting with the behind-the-scenes details that delivered a smooth presentation for all involved
Admissions for reporting a record high number of leads for future students

“As usual, our faculty put together terrific program presentations and provided superb value with strong industry attendance at each station,” he said. Each program had tremendous support from industry with a number of donated high-value raffle items, including two $500 DCTC scholarships, that finished the day, adding to a memorable experience for the 275+ high school students who attended the Transportation Showcase.”