Sioux Center, Iowa — An open house is planned to give the community an idea of what’s available at Northwest Iowa Community College’s Sioux Center location.
NCC is inviting students, parents, educators, homeschool families, and community members from Northwest Iowa to explore hands-on career pathways at the Sioux Center Regional Center and Career Academy Open House on Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at 1382 4th Ave. NE, Sioux Center, IA (the former AEA Building).
This event is an opportunity to tour the new facilities, meet Brenda Sandbulte, Career Academy & Exploration Coordinator, and learn how high school students can earn free college credits while preparing for in-demand careers.
You will be able to tour the facilities and see firsthand where students learn with industry-grade equipment. NCC officials tell us you can meet the coordinator and get questions answered about enrollment, coursework, and career pathways. You’ll be able to do some hands-on exploration as well as talk to the Coordinator and see what kinds of hands-on learning each program offers.
NCC officials want you to know free college credits are available through the center, and you can learn how you can get ahead in your education at no cost to you or your family. If you’re a high school student, you’ll also be able to hear about industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) you can earn before you graduate high school.
They tell us that students, educators, homeschool families, and community members are welcome, and you can learn how these programs can save families thousands in college tuition while preparing students for success.
More information, direct from NCC:
Hands-On Learning & Workforce-Ready Certifications
The Sioux Center Regional Center and its career academy programs provides students with a head start on college and career training, offering hands-on college-level courses that count for both high school and college credit. These transferable pathway courses help students continue their education at NCC or transfer to a four-year college or university, setting them up for long-term success.
Students can also gain real-world experience while earning industry-recognized credentials or preparing for state certification exams in the following areas:
- Education – Paraeducator Certificate
- Engineering Design – OSHA 10 Card
- Information Technology – CompTIA A+ Certification, Technical Support Certification
- Welding – Production Welding Certificate
- Healthcare – CPR & First Aid Certification, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Pharmacy Technician, EMT
The career academy connects students to real industry experiences, including hands-on lab activities, job shadowing, and work-based learning, ensuring they are career-ready before graduation. Its focus doesn’t just prepare students for exams—it helps them discover their future.
“I’ve taken a lot of college classes in high school, but this helped narrow my focus. The real-life observations were very interesting, such as watching a tonsillectomy,” said Stephanie Hernandez, Sioux Center Career Academy participant and current NCC nursing student.
By offering workforce-ready credentials and dual-credit courses, NCC is helping students save money, gain confidence, and prepare for in-demand careers. These programs don’t just benefit students—they also help strengthen Northwest Iowa’s workforce by ensuring businesses have access to skilled employees.
Don’t miss this chance to explore hands-on career training, earn college credits for free, and jumpstart your future. We’ll see you at the Sioux Center Regional Center Open House on March 27. For more information, please contact Brenda Sandbulte, Career Academy & Exploration Coordinator, at bsandbulte@nwicc.edu or 712-324-5061 / 800-352-4907 ext. 170.
