Work-based learning /
22 | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025 ELK RIVER STAR NEWS
Partnerships give students access to new industry-grade machines
Partnerships between government, private industry and individual donors are giving students in Anoka Technical College’ s machine trades and welding programs access to two new pieces of industry-grade equipment.
The DMG Mori CNC Turning Center and Bodor Flatbed Laser Cutter were showcased Oct. 2 during a donation celebration. The equipment will allow students to train on the same types of machines they will use in the workforce after graduation.
Funding for the new tools came through a collaborative
Work-based learning /
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“ Daniel is our first student intern who 100 percent wants to be a machinist,” Peterson said.“ He’ s not necessarily thinking about tech school— he just knows what he wants.”
Peterson said that kind of clarity is rare at that age.
“ I went to school for engineering, and I just know, in general, it’ s hard to know what you want to do at 18 years old,” he said.“ So just because you want to go to tech school doesn’ t mean you’ ll complete that.”
A TEACHER’ S NEW PATH
Voss came to his role as one of ISD 728’ s two workbased CTE coordinators in a roundabout way. He has a degree in special education and worked as a high school special education teacher before the COVID-19 pandemic— a job he found challenging.
“ The wins were tough to come by, dealing with behaviors and stuff like that,” Voss said.
A friend told him about the coordinator position, and he applied mostly to“ humor” the colleague. But during the interview, he realized the job might be exactly what he was looking for.
He later earned a workbased learning coordinator certificate to complement his special education teaching degree from St. Cloud State University and has fully embraced the role.
effort involving the Anoka Tech Foundation, industry partners, individual donors, Anoka County, and matching funds from Minnesota State’ s Legislative Leveraged Equipment Program.
The donation celebration followed the college’ s fall scholarship luncheon, where 63 students received a total of $ 87,200 in scholarships.
ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT
• DMG Mori CNC Turning Center( Machine Trades program): Nearly a $ 200,000 investment that brings industry-grade precision to student training.
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Dan Willis has taken up disc golf as a hobby. He bought discs, joined a league, and ever since he scored his first ace, success and enjoyment have followed.
“ It helps out the kids and the employers,” Voss said.
BUILDING BRIDGES TO THE FUTURE
Peterson said some students treat internships like a summer job, and that’ s fine with him.
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Funding for the new tools came through a collaborative effort involving the Anoka Tech Foundation, industry partners, individual donors, Anoka County, and matching funds from Minnesota State’ s Legislative Leveraged Equipment Program.
“ As long as they’ re not trying to burn a bridge, I’ m not going to burn a bridge for them,” he said. But for students like Willis, that bridge can lead straight to a promising career.
• Bodor Flatbed Laser Cutter( Welding program): Valued at $ 212,000, this tool expands capabilities in metal fabrication and design.
PHOTO BY JIM BOYLE
Right: Anoka Technical College instructor Matt Rogers proudly stands by one of two new industry-grade machines in his shop.
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