Area 31 Career Center

10/09/2026

📰 The latest Area 31 Advance is here!
https://bit.ly/a31advance1026

From advocating for career and technical education in Washington, D.C., to calling a football game from the press box at Lucas Oil Stadium, our students are putting their skills to work!

In our October 2026 edition:
⭐ SkillsUSA student leaders take their voices to the nation’s capital
🔨 Construction Trades and HVAC students explore industry opportunities
🍎 A future educator shares the teacher who inspired her
🤝 Partnership Day opens doors to future possibilities
🏆 Culinary Arts student Tolu Fakoya earns a first-place finish
🎙️ Radio Broadcasting students go live from Lucas Oil Stadium

Read the newsletter and celebrate the students, instructors, and partners helping move futures forward at Area 31! 💜

10/08/2026

🎓 Area 31 seniors: Take your skills to the next level—with help paying for it!

The Indiana Elks Vocational Scholarship offers 10 scholarships of $1,000 each to graduating Indiana high school seniors pursuing trade or technical training.

🛠️ Planning a program lasting two years or less that leads to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree? This could be for you!

✅ No Elks membership or family connection required.
✅ Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
✅ Designed for career training—not bachelor’s degree programs or associate degrees used to transfer into a bachelor’s program.

📅 Applications must be received before February 1st, 2027.

Find the application and submission details in our ParentSquare scholarship post. Start gathering your materials now!

10/05/2026

On Friday, our Area 31/PJ's College of Cosmetology students visited Malibu C Wellness Center to explore scalp wellness and learn how minerals in the water we use can affect our hair and skin.

Students also toured the manufacturing facility for a behind-the-scenes look at how Malibu C products are made, packaged, and shipped to retailers, allowing them the opportunity to connect what they’re learning in the classroom to the products they’ll use as future professionals! There’s science behind every great salon service! 💇🧪

Thank you, Malibu C, for welcoming our students and sharing the science behind the care!

09/28/2026

💙 A new school. New faces. A place to belong.

Area 31 is proud to support military-connected students and families by celebrating Blue Star Welcome Week September 28th–October 2nd!

Military life can bring new beginnings, time apart, and plenty of change. A warm welcome can make a difference and every one of us can help. Introduce yourself, invite someone to join your group, and make room for a new connection.

To our military-connected students and families: we’re glad you’re part of Area 31. You belong here. 💜

09/27/2026

09/25/2026

🦷 An interest in dentistry brought Evan to Area 31. The opportunity to put that interest into practice makes the experience stand out!

An Avon High School student in Mrs. Holmes’ Dental Assisting program, Evan appreciates the chance to explore the dental field through the simulated lab settings or in dental speak, operatories, in the classroom. He recognizes that the coursework takes commitment and values the opportunity to work toward credentials that can support his next steps in education and a career.

Beyond the dental classroom, Evan is involved in yearbook and newspaper, National Honor Society, and History Club. He also puts his leadership skills to work as a team lead at BIBIBOP!

His advice for future students: "Prepare with classes in anatomy, human body systems, chemistry, and biology."

We’re proud of the curiosity and commitment you bring to your future, Evan!

09/22/2026

🔥 A successful welding career starts with more than a great weld.

Thank you to Kennedy Tank for visiting Area 31’s Welding students and sharing what employers expect when their new hires walk into a weld shop. With 128+ years of excellence and five generations of family leadership, their team brought valuable perspective on building a career that lasts.

Their #1 expectation? Be on time. From there:

✅ Be coachable and bring a positive attitude.
✅ Put safety first and choose quality over shortcuts.
✅ Communicate, work as a team, and stay off your phone.
✅ Take pride in your work - - and stand behind it.
✅ Learn more than one welding process.
✅ Build fabrication skills: reading prints and tape measures, understanding math, and working with fractions.

One message really stood out: Your name is everything. The reputation you build through your work is what earns trust, callbacks, and future opportunities.

Hearing directly from employers helps students connect what they’re learning in the shop with what’s expected on the job and see the opportunities ahead in a career they can enjoy.

Thank you, Kennedy Tank, for investing in our students and the future of our skilled workforce! 🛠️

09/11/2026

Our students’ futures were at the center of every conversation at this year's Partnership Day and we could not be more proud! 💚

Today, Area 31 students from both campuses connected with industry partners, explored college and career pathways, and met the people helping shape Central Indiana’s workforce.

To every partner who joined us: thank you for sharing your time, experience, and passion for your industry. You helped students see possibilities for their futures and the steps they can take to get there.

Today would not have been possible without the generosity and commitment to the future of our workforce from the following Premier Partners — Palmer Power & Truck Equipment, The Heritage Group, Fastenal, Laborer's International Union of North America Local #120, North Mechanical Contracting, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 374, Cummins Sales and Service, RT Moore, Huse Culinary, CBK Industries, Andy Mohr Automotive, Vincennes University, and Ivy Tech Community College.

These organizations have consistently, many year after year, supported Area 31 at the highest sponsorship tier, while also engaging with our students beyond this single event. Thank you for investing in our students and the future of Central Indiana’s workforce.

Thank you, too, to the teachers, staff, custodians, administrators, and student volunteers who helped bring this day to life. What a wonderful example of our community showing up for students!

09/04/2026

Looking for your next step? The Future Pathways College & Career Fair is happening Tuesday!

Explore colleges, careers, apprenticeships, military opportunities, workforce training, and community resources, all in one place. Admission is FREE, and the event is open to middle school students, high school students, families, and adults exploring a new career or additional training.

📅 Tuesday, September 8
🕕 6:00-7:30 PM
📍 Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex
🎟️ FREE Admission

Come ready to ask questions, make connections, and discover what your future could hold!

More information:
🌐 https://hendrickscollegenetwork.org/pathwayfair/