Whether you want to work in a lab or a clinic, on a shop floor or a building site, with customers or at a computer, you need to know – and use – the latest software and hardware, as well as state-of-the-art equipment and materials. Each year thousands of work opportunities will be available in northeast Minnesota. While the region will have 7,500 openings each year due to retirements alone, some jobs have not even been created yet. Even though technology constantly changes the workplace, in every field, the age-old method – learning by doing – still works.

With an eye toward the future and help from local workers in a variety of fields, ALI programs are collaborative efforts between high schools and community/technical colleges in northeast Minnesota. Classes are scheduled to meet a variety of student needs, including online classes, daytime classes, late-afternoon classes and weekend classes.

In the summer of 2008, ALI also had its first Summer Institute. In collaboration with local trade unions, students participated in Summer Build and helped build a Habitat for Humanity house.