Who knew?

You’ll say that often if you visit the Eden Prairie campus of Hennepin Technical College for the first time. Who knew, for instance, that the site trains most of the state’s EMS and fire workers? Who knew that there’s a recording studio and audio production program at the campus? As it turns out, this is the year to find out about what goes on at HTC – the campus will be celebrating its 35th anniversary and hosting a variety of workshops and community celebrations.

Who knew that HTC President Kathryn Jeffery will be singing in one of those workshops? Jeffery will be participating in a recording session from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, as part of a free workshop offered through the Eden Prairie campus. Turns out, Jeffery was music major in college.

 “Plus I’ve always been fascinated with studio recording,” she said.

“Through these workshops that we’re having, this is a sampling of the kinds of things that we’re able to offer as technical training here,” she added.

Other upcoming workshops include a free car care clinic on April 12 and a number of floral related clinics at the Brooklyn Park Campus. Both locations will hold anniversary celebrations in April and May.

 “Everybody’s invited,” said Maggie Vyskocil, who is helping to organize the events. For Eden Prairie’s celebration, to be held May 8, they’ll have food, tours, demonstrations and recognition of successful alumni and faculty who have received awards.

Changes

Hennepin Technical College has two campuses, one in Eden Prairie, 13100 College View Drive, one in Brooklyn Park, 9000 Brooklyn Blvd., and a customized training center in Plymouth. It is the largest stand-alone technical college in the state. The Eden Prairie campus sits on 113 acres just past Anderson Lakes Parkway off of Highway 212. The major programs it offers include: business and information technology, construction and building careers, floral, landscape and horticulture careers, health careers, manufacturing and engineering technology, media communication, public safety and service careers and transportation careers.

Jeffery said one of reasons they put together workshops in the way that they did was to highlight some of the programs “... things that people might not think about when they think about Hennepin Technical College.”

The open house is an opportunity to really show people up close what happens in that facility, she said, “and how the skills they can gain by enrolling in courses at Hennepin Technical College can result in very meaningful jobs and long-term careers.”

She noted that, when people think of a technical college, they may think back to the early days of vocational colleges.

“The technology for almost every area that we offer here has changed so much over the years.”

But the focus remains simple: “We help people get jobs.”

When asked what she hopes students say about HTC, Jeffery turns it around to share what she’s heard people say.

 “I hear people say that they wish they had come here sooner.”

She’s heard that the level of training and interaction with faculty here “are exceptional.”

She heard people say the job that they got “was directly related to the skills that they received here at Hennepin Technical College”

From there, “that they’ve been able to improve the quality of life for their families.”

Some students never thought they were going to be able to make $25 to $30 an hour, “but they do,” she added.

A click away:

Want to learn more about HTC? Visit this page to learn more about the community celebrations. Visit this page to look at all the programs and majors offered by the school.