Rochester, MN — What began as a simple conversation over a cup of coffee three years ago has evolved into a groundbreaking new opportunity for high school students across Southeast Minnesota. This January, students from Dover-Eyota, Pine Island, and Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools will participate in the launch of the Biomedical Equipment Technology Academy (BETA) — an innovative partnership between the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology (CBET), Mayo Clinic, Benchmark, Agiliti, and the Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC).
The BETA program is designed to address a critical workforce need in the biomedical technology field — training technicians capable of maintaining and repairing advanced medical equipment. With the rapid integration of artificial intelligence and sophisticated diagnostic tools in healthcare, the demand for skilled biomedical equipment technicians continues to rise.
Beginning in January, the inaugural cohort will include four junior students from each of the three pilot school districts, who will be dual-enrolled through CBET to earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology while completing their high school education. Students will complete most coursework online, paired with regular in-person, cohort-based learning experiences at Mayo Clinic. They will also take part in paid internship rotations in departments such as diagnostic imaging and surgical services — gaining hands-on experience with complex medical technology.
Upon graduation, students will hold an industry-recognized credential, have first-right-of-refusal interview opportunities with industry partners, and be qualified for entry-level positions starting around $60,000 annually — with no student loan debt.
This program comes at no cost to students or participating districts for the first two cohorts, thanks to shared resources and the collaboration of industry and education partners. The model provides a powerful example of how rural districts can work together to offer specialized career pathways that might otherwise be out of reach.
“Mayo Clinic currently averages 33 open positions per year for biomedical equipment technicians, with roughly 10 remaining unfilled annually,” noted program organizers. “With Mayo’s $5-billion Bold. Forward. Unbound. expansion underway, this partnership ensures that local students are prepared to step directly into these high-demand, high-skill careers.”
“I’m proud of this newly created academy and the collaboration by so many different stakeholders — all working together to provide new doors of opportunity for our students. It’s a shining example of what can happen when schools, businesses, and higher education unite around a common purpose: creating pathways to success for the next generation,” said Jeremy Frie, Superintendent of Dover-Eyota Public Schools.
“This partnership represents exactly what we want for our students — access to meaningful, future-focused learning that connects directly to real-world careers,” said Ryan Barnick, Superintendent of Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools. “It’s exciting to know our students can graduate and have an opportunity to step into impactful, high-demand fields right here in our region.”
The BETA initiative represents a bold, cooperative effort to bridge education and industry — ensuring that Southeast Minnesota students have equitable access to advanced MedTech training and meaningful career opportunities close to home.
Recruitment for Cohort 2 will begin later this school year, with participation open to current sophomores from the three partner districts.
About the Partners
College of Biomedical Equipment Technology (CBET): A nationally accredited college based in Texas that provides advanced technical training for careers in biomedical equipment and technology.
Mayo Clinic: A world-renowned healthcare organization committed to advancing patient care, research, and education.
Benchmark and Agiliti: Industry leaders in medical equipment maintenance and technology solutions.
Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC): A regional education service agency supporting collaborative partnerships that expand opportunities for students across southeastern Minnesota.