What if the way we’ve been doing education… just isn’t working anymore?

In this episode of Mills County Routes, we take you inside SWITCH – Southwest Iowa Technical Career Hub, where educators, industry leaders, and community partners are rethinking how students prepare for real careers.

From hands-on HVAC training to industry-sponsored education paths, SWITCH is flipping the script on traditional learning and putting students directly on a path to meaningful, high-demand careers.

Inside this episode:

• The shocking stat: only 7% of students use their college degree in their career
• Why traditional education models are failing the workforce
• How SWITCH is connecting students directly with employers
• The rise of hands-on, skills-based training over lecture-based learning
• Why trades careers are becoming one of the smartest paths today
• How partnerships between schools and industry are solving the workforce shortage

You’ll also hear from leaders in education and trades who are actively rebuilding the pipeline and creating opportunities for the next generation.

“We’ve got to stop training students without asking industry what they actually need.”

SWITCH (Southwest Iowa Technical Career Hub) is a growing training center offering:

• Career & Technical Education (CTE)
• High school + college-level trade programs
• Adult workforce training
• Industry partnerships that lead directly to jobs

From a nearly empty building to a fast-growing hub with multiple partners, SWITCH is becoming a model for workforce development in rural America.

The opportunity isn’t disappearing.
It’s shifting.

And the trades are leading the way.

Nathan Barry, Ph.D.
Vice President for Strategic Operations and Initiatives
Metropolitan Community College
Omaha, NE 68103
(531) 622-4035

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