In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, we sit down with Newton “Fig” Jensen, founder of Empigo Academy, a faith-based high school in Des Moines focused on Career and Technical Education (CTE). Jensen shares his vision for equipping the next generation with the skills necessary to thrive in post-secondary education or technical careers, with an emphasis on industries like manufacturing.
Jensen explains how Empigo Academy is tackling Iowa’s growing skills gap by providing hands-on learning and real-world experience in technical fields such as manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and technology. With Iowa’s universal school choice program allowing students to attend the academy tuition-free, the school serves as a unique blend of faith-driven education and career-readiness training.
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During our discussion, we explore how Empigo Academy partners with local manufacturers to provide students with practical experience, and how the academy’s curriculum integrates modern technology to meet the demands of Iowa’s manufacturing workforce. Fig also dives into the importance of entrepreneurial thinking in technical fields and how he balances traditional values with technical education to prepare students for a rapidly evolving workforce.
This conversation is a must-listen for manufacturers looking to understand how schools like Empigo Academy are training the workforce of tomorrow. Whether you’re a business owner, educator, or industry professional, tune in to learn how technical education is shaping Iowa’s manufacturing future. To contact Empigo Academy, call (515) 612-8950 or go to https://www.empigoacademy.org/contact.