Following a recent announcement by Hoefer Group, LLC, Dunseith, North Dakota has begun a community revitalization plan to bring a 100,000 square-foot industrial site back to life as an RV manufacturer and training center.
Dunseith Public Schools held a ground-breaking June 2 on a new $15 million Career and Technical Education (CTE) Complex. The CTE Complex is designed to be a K12 CTE education model in rural North Dakota. Hoefer Group, the North Dakota Department of Career & Technical Education, and the RV Technical Institute (RVTI) are establishing Dunseith as the nation’s first traditional high school Level II RV Technician RVTI Learning Partner. The center is scheduled to open in 2023.
The Dunseith school board approved and financed an approximate $15million in funds for the CTE Complex. Along with national accreditation by the RV industry, Dunseith is working with the state to ensure the RVTI’s program modules are approved for high school credit. According to RVTI’s Executive Director Curtis Hemmeler, this is the type of collaboration RVTI envisions at the K12 level.
“What’s happening in Dunseith is an incredible model to follow across the county for RVTI. First and foremost, when RVTI looks at expanding partnerships amongst traditional high schools, state education collaboration is crucial,” Hemmler said. “Our program is independently audited and designed to fit with the existing state CTE curriculum. We’ve begun a push to bring RVTI programs to K12 education, and Dunseith’s initiative is a wonderful start.”
Buoyed by upcoming workforce needs at Hoefer Group, and the large gap in certified RV technicians across the U.S., Dunseith’s school board and Superintendent David Sjol spearheaded an initiative to develop a CTE training program.
Among those present for the groundbreaking ceremony were, Hemmeler and Charles Hoefer, CEO of Hoefer Group. Over 50 attended the CTE Complex luncheon and presentation.
“Dunseith’s school system has a growing interest by students in trades, and RV program modules in many respects overlap with our existing programs,” said Sjol. “What really interested the school system in achieving a national RV industry accreditation, is that this one program sets our student body on a path to gaining valuable skills in many automotive and construction-related trades. Students can stay and work for the new RV factory or go just about anywhere in the country and find a good-paying career.”
The RV training program is anchored by a new local industry.
“We had for decades a very stable employment in electronics manufacturing. The pullout by Benchmark in 2015 – our only manufacturer and only large employer outside the school system – was devastating,” said Dunseith Mayor Jesse Marion. “Community members worked tirelessly to repurpose our industrial site. The facet of this new RV project that excites me the most is seeing job opportunities for K12 students – our community’s future – to secure better pay and have marketable skills when a college education might be out of reach.”
The Hoefer Group has offered to hire as many technicians as Dunseith’s RV program can graduate.
“We selected Dunseith with a rich history in manufacturing, and nearly 50 former employees ready to return. Beyond that, we need partners to create a pipeline, and we are thrilled to see high school student interest,” Hoefer said. “Twenty-five students attended a recent after school event organized by Dunseith’s CTE instructors to learn about careers at Hoefer Group. Many shared that their parents had 10-20+ years at the plant. Local efforts to help us succeed in hiring are overwhelmingly encouraging.”
Hoefer Group, LLC is an RV manufacturer based in Dunseith, North Dakota. Click here for more information.
