51ÁÔÆæ Career Center – Charles City
At the 51ÁÔÆæ Career Center in Charles City, we’re thrilled to open doors to a world of opportunities and a brighter future for our students. Our state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to providing high school students with hands-on, career-focused education that paves the way for both college readiness and workforce success, along with continuing education opportunities for adults looking to upskill, reskill, or pursue new interests.
Participating High Schools
We are proud to collaborate with a consortium of local schools, ensuring that students from across our community have access to top-tier education. The schools participating in this initiative include:
Charles City Community School
Clarksville Community School
Nashua-Plainfield High School
North Butler Community School
Osage Community School
Riceville Community School
Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community School
Each school brings a unique strength to our consortium, enriching the learning experience for all students.
Choose an option below to learn more about our Credit and Non-Credit opportunites.

The Advanced Manufacturing Academy exposes students to a wide variety of skills necessary to be successful in today’s manufacturing workforce. They will take classes in welding, electronics, 3D Modeling, and basic industrial shop operations as well as be able to explore manufacturing careers in a career exploration class. The academy prepares students to enter one of the 51ÁÔÆæ manufacturing programs: Welding, Tool and Die, and Industrial Automation and Robotics. Students will also be better prepared for one of the other 51ÁÔÆæ Skilled Trades programs if they choose to go that route. Those programs are Heating and Air Conditioning Technology, Automotive Technology, and Diesel Technology. Some students that attend the Advanced Manufacturing Academy may choose to enter a manufacturing career right out of high school. Students that complete the Advanced Manufacturing Academy will earn a Fundamentals of Advanced Manufacturing Certificate and a Fundamentals of Welding Certificate.
Advanced Manufacturing Academy Classes
Fall
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Shop Operations | ELT-745 | 3 |
| Skills and Safety in Industry | IND-190 | 1 |
| 3D Modeling | MFG-110 | 2 |
| GMAW Short Circuit Transfer: SENSE 1 | WEL-244 | 2 |
| Shielded Metal Arc Weld I | WEL-274 | 3 |
Spring
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intro to Electrical Concepts | ELT-135 | 2 |
| Industrial Math and Measurement | IND-224 | 3 |
| Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing Technologies | MFG-196 | 2 |
| GMAW Spray Transfer: SENSE1 | WEL-245 | 2 |
| Gas Tungsten Arc Welding for Carbon Steel: SENSE 1 | WEL-251 | 2 |

The Business Academy is designed for high school students who are interested in exploring careers across the broad field of business while earning college credit. The program introduces students to a wide range of business disciplines, including accounting, entrepreneurship, marketing, and management, providing a strong foundation for future academic and career success.
Courses emphasize practical, real-world application and are taught by instructors who bring both industry experience and strong academic credentials to the classroom. Through hands-on learning and exposure to multiple areas of business, students gain essential knowledge and skills that prepare them to transfer into any business-related major. The Business Academy also allows students to explore different business pathways, helping them identify areas of interest while building the foundational competencies needed to begin a career in business.
Fall
| Course Name | Course Number |
|---|---|
| Business Law | BUS-185 |
| Personal Finance | FIN-121 |
| Composition I | ENG-105 |
| Introduction to Ethics | PHI-105 |
Spring
| Course Name | Course Number |
|---|---|
| Principles of Marketing | MKT-110 |
| Principles of Management | MGT-101 |
| Composition II | ENG-106 |

The Construction Trades Academy prepares students for work in residential and commercial construction. Students will be exposed to extensive hands-on learning by working on real construction projects. Students will also have lecture time where they will learn about safety, construction drawing, CAD, and blueprint reading. Students that complete the Construction Trades Academy classes will earn a 51ÁÔÆæ Building Trades Certificate. They may choose to continue their education at 51ÁÔÆæ and earn a 51ÁÔÆæ Building Trades Diploma or go directly into the construction industry.
Construction Trades Academy Classes
Fall
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Hour OSHA for Construction | CON-103 | 1 |
| Construction Drawing | CON-110 | 1 |
| Construction Safety and Risk Management | CON-177 | 1 |
| Construction Math and Measurement | CON-360 | 3 |
| Carpentry Fundamentals I | CON-521 | 2 |
| Carpentry Fundamentals II | CON-523 | 6 |
Spring
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural CADD | CAD-216 | 2 |
| Blueprint Reading and Estimating | CON-112 | 3 |
| Carpentry I | CON-255 | 4 |
| Carpentry II | CON-256 | 4 |

The Health Careers Academy is for any student interested in pursuing a career in the health field. It combines practical hands on classes with general education courses which makes it a good fit for any student. Some students that attend the Health Careers Academy may enter the workforce after high school while others may pursue advanced degrees. The Health Careers Academy prepares students to enter the Associate Degree in Nursing Program at 51ÁÔÆæ. For students that are not sure which career in healthcare they want to study, an exploring careers class will be offered that will allow students to earn college credit while studying health occupations.
Fall
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | ENG-105 | 3 |
| Medical Terminology I | HSC-120 | 3 |
| Nurse Aide Theory | HSC-173 | 3 |
| Nurse Aide Clinical | HSC-174 | 1 |
Spring
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Composition II | ENG-106 | 3 |
| Professionals in Health | HSC-107 | 2 |
| Body Structure & Function | HSC-150 | 4 |
| Introduction to Psychology | PSY-111 | 3 |
The 51ÁÔÆæ Charles City Center features three multi-purpose classrooms, an Iowa Communications Network (ICN) classroom plus a student computer lab, conference room, student lounge/study area and office space. In addition to Continuing and Community Education classes, the Center is utilized for Adult Literacy (HSED and ESL) classes, business and industry training, and meeting space for local clubs and organizations.
To register for a Business and Workforce Solutions class, please click to register online, or call the Continuing Education Office at 641-422-4358.
Address
51ÁÔÆæ Career Center
203 Brantingham St
Charles City, IA 50616
Phone: 641-228-4634