For more than 20 years, the Wells Academy in Bemidji has worked to support the North Woods by offering what many people need the most: mentorship, encouragement and a chance to succeed.

A partnership with Northwest Technical College will help the academy expand to add leadership development courses and pathways to further education at NTC. The partnership will empower the academy’s trainees to become mentors and future leaders themselves, both in their communities and their workplaces.

The partnership is being supported, in part, by a $25,000 grant from the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities. Capacity-Building for Equity in Career Technical Education grants provide funding for programs that develop and strengthen skills, instincts, abilities, processes and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt and thrive in a fast-changing world. The grants are meant to support transformative training programs that go beyond teaching the performance of tasks and work to change mindsets and attitudes.

“This partnership reflects exactly what NTC is called to do,” NTC President John L. Hoffman said. “When education and industry engage in mutuality with a shared commitment to expanding workforce excellence, we create more inclusive pathways that strengthen families, businesses and entire communities. We are proud to partner with Wells Academy to expand access to high-skill careers while honoring the lived experiences and strengths of the North Woods.”

Bemidji-based Wells Technology manufactures hundreds of thousands of high-precision parts per year for a wide spectrum of industries, including aerospace, military and national defense, medical and automotive.

Located in the midst of Minnesota’s three largest tribal nations, Wells experiences a common challenge: addressing its continuing need for employees to fill its high-skill jobs operating one of the company’s 30 computer numeric control (CNC) manufacturing stations.

Andy Wells, founder of Wells Technology, recognized that many of the region’s residents experienced lives defined by hardship, adversity and generational trauma that often left them ill-prepared to succeed in a modern, structured work environment.

In 2004, he founded the Wells Academy to expand the traditional limits of a job-training program and provide the high level of technical skill needed to be a CNC machinist in a culturally responsive and emotionally supportive environment.

Above: Wells Academy students watch a presentation during a training session at Wells Technologies.

Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, executive vice president and senior academic officer for Northwest Technical College, says NTC is supporting the Wells Academy as it expands to serve more members of the community.

“NTC will provide resources, support for recruitment, mentorship and educational training,” Kouanchao said. “And we are planning pathways for Wells Academy participants to take classes at NTC.”

She said Wells Academy students will also be paired with faculty in the college’s trades programs, including Construction Electrical (CONE), for mentorship and career exploration opportunities.

While specific curricula are still being developed, Kouanchao suggested that NTC coursework for Wells Academy students could include manufacturing-related classes alongside the college’s CONE students or customized training on topics like safety or blueprint reading.

Above: Dr. Pauline Danforth speaks to Wells Academy students during a presentation at Wells Technologies.

NTC has also secured the services of two consultants — Dr. Pauline Danforth, an adjunct instructor who teaches two courses on American Indian people at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, and Dr. Melanie Peterson Hickey, retired from the Minnesota Department of Health — who will work with Wells Academy students until the end of April. They are facilitating workshops for students and introducing them to topics such as building hope and resilience.

In addition to new opportunities available through its partnerships with NTC, Wells Academy graduates will continue to be offered immediate employment with Wells Technology. Andy Wells says the academy puts the company’s emphasis on its culture and the success of its people into sharp focus, creating a model that other industries in Minnesota and beyond can follow.

“For any of our supervisors, we want them to understand that stress and anxiety can impact work performance — and we have to look beyond that and realize that our people have value,” Wells said. “We can look beyond profit, have a kinder heart and ensure our effort is focused on our people.”

About Wells Technology

Bemidji-based Wells Technology, founded in 1989 by Andy Wells, manufactures precision parts for aerospace, defense, medical and other high-performance industries. Wells Technology exists to solve industry challenges and to create opportunities for rural communities to excel in the manufacturing industry.