LTC recognizes top CTE influencers

From htrnews.com: “Educators in career and technical education recognized” — CLEVELAND — Lakeshore Technical College presented its second annual Top Tech Awards to recognize the top influencers in career and technical education in Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties. The five awards were presented at a reception at the Lakeshore Culinary Institute on Feb. 20.

Educators from Manitowoc County were recognized with three of the awards.

• Rick Conrad of Manitowoc Lincoln High School serves as the school’s youth apprenticeship liaison, transition specialist, work experience teacher and tech ed teacher. Conrad was nominated for his role in the approximately 30 students a year from Manitowoc Lincoln High School participating in Youth Apprenticeship.

Conrad sets up job shadows for all Lincoln students, transitions special needs students into the workforce through a fundamental work experience program and coordinates more than 50 students in Lincoln’s work experience programs. He has worked with all departments on their career and technical education advisory committees, and is currently working with the tech ed department on its three-year plan and new course proposals.

• Marcy Kuhn and Amber Brewer, academic advisors and guidance counselors for Mishicot High School and Mishicot Middle School, respectively, also were presented with a Top Tech Award for their leadership, tenacity and passion for students’ post-secondary success. Their high school advisement period provides weekly lesson plans to each of the four grade levels to better prepare students after the end of high school.

Their Career Portfolio project implements student, parent, and school counselor meetings at key transition points in a student’s school career. During these meetings, the student’s strengths and areas of improvement, future plans, and goal setting are discussed with assessments aiding students and parents in their course choices and development of their four-year plans. This duo is sought after as a resource by other organizations and districts to replicate this success.

WTCS President Foy joins visit to highlight Career and Technical Education

From wausaudailyherald.com: “Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, other state leaders visit Wausau West student inventors” –WAUSAU — A Wausau West High School student project to build a remote-controlled snowblower has drawn attention from state officials who are promoting technical education and related careers.

Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Workforce Development Secretary Reggie Newson and Wisconsin Technical College System President Morna Foy met the Wausau West students Wednesday during a tour to mark Career and Technical Education Month.

“Their enthusiasm for learning is evident as soon as you enter their lab,” Kleefisch said in a statement released afterward. “These students were so engaged in the project that they worked on it until 9 p.m. one night. Their teacher had to send them home. They built what we all hope will be a winner when they and teams from schools across the country travel to Boston in June for an invention expo.”

Wausau West is one of 15 schools nationally to receive $10,000 grants from the Lemelson-MIT Program in Boston. Teams can use the money to tackle real-world problems with technology and invent solutions; in Wausau West’s case, it’s the “Autonomous snow removal device.”

Kleefisch, Newson and Foy also stopped at CTECH Manufacturing in Weston to learn about its youth apprentice partnership with Wausau West. The state last year awarded $1.86 million in Youth Apprenticeship grants, including $225,599 to the North Central Wisconsin School-to-Career Partnership, a consortium that includes the Wausau School District.

February is CTE Month

From lacrossetribune.com: “February is CTE Month” — February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and the Wisconsin Departments of Public Instruction (DPI), Workforce Development (DWD) and the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) are encouraging students, schools, parents, and educators to discover the high standards, innovation and excellence offered through the state’s CTE programs.

“Career and Technical Education introduces students to workplace expectations for knowledge and technical skills through a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on experiences,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers. “Because coursework is grounded in high standards and workforce needs through partnerships between educators and employers, young people in our high school CTE programs graduate college and career ready.”

“CTE has never been more important,” said Morna Foy, president of the Wisconsin Technical College System. “We’re proud to be partners in highlighting the many opportunities students have to participate in CTE. The result is a richer learning experience, greater awareness of education and career options, and many times, college credit.”

“Career and Technical Education Month offers an excellent opportunity to highlight successful partnerships, strong leadership, and promising initiatives to help build a skilled workforce to move Wisconsin forward,” DWD Secretary Reggie Newson said. “In collaboration with schools, the technical college system, employers, and parents, we are committed to helping both current and future generations of workers gain greater awareness of the challenging and cutting-edge career paths that technical education supports.”

More than 90,000 Wisconsin high school students are taking career and technical education courses in fields such as agriculture, business, family and consumer science, health occupations, marketing, and technology and engineering. Those increased opportunities help students find a viable route to a rewarding career. Many CTE programs provide multiple pathways for students to prepare for diploma and apprenticeship programs, technical college degrees and industry certifications, as well as four-year degree programs and other career and training.

Wisconsin’s technical colleges play an important role in expanding CTE opportunities for students through partnerships and dual credit coursework.

“Everyone knows that student engagement through great teaching is at the core of learning,” Evers said. He recounted a visit to Eleva-Strum’s Cardinal Industries, which focuses on metal fabrication. “The students do customized piece work for various fabricators in northwest Wisconsin, filling a niche in the industry. The class was run like a business. Students received both high school and technical college credit. And at the end of the year, profit sharing provided $1,200 per student. This innovation has been recognized nationally through Modern Machine Shop Magazine.”

In a partnership among the Baldwin-Woodville, Hudson and Menomonie high schools and OEM Fabricators, coursework and experience promote advanced manufacturing as a career choice. The Manufacturing Careers Pathway Partnership reaches both middle and high school students through career exploration, job shadowing, youth employment, state of the art training facilities, dual enrollment with Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College and tuition assistance. Evers visited the Eleva-Strum, Baldwin-Woodville and Menomonie high school CTE programs last year as part of the CTE month observance in Wisconsin.

In honor of this year’s CTE month observance, Evers, Foy and Newson are planning classroom and on-site CTE visits throughout the state. Details will be forthcoming.

Referendum would aid dual credit opportunities

From postcrescent.com: “Referendum would add space, new equipment to Appleton technical education department” — APPLETON – About a dozen people braved the cold temperatures Tuesday to see firsthand how the upcoming referendum would impact technical education at Appleton West.

The referendum consists of two questions: One for $25 million to purchase technology and complete capital projects. The other question would allow officials to borrow up to $5 million outside the budget each year. The money would be used to replace outdated technology, perform maintenance projects and cover the salaries and benefits for five instructional technology integrators.

If both questions pass on Feb. 18, people who own homes valued at $150,000 would see the school portion of their property taxes rise $118.50.

Paul Lindberg teaches metals, welding and graphic arts at West. Lindberg showed those in attendance how referendum dollars would expand the technical education area, and allow all the department’s classes to be centrally located.

“Right now we have some of our classes upstairs and some of them downstairs, but if we’re all in one area the kids can move through the classes easier,” Lindberg said.

The lack of updated equipment is keeping Lindberg from training students in additional areas. Lindberg worked with instructors at Fox Valley Technical College over the summer to align three of his courses with their curriculum. Students who take those courses would earn credit through FVTC, but because not all of his equipment is up to industry standards, Lindberg can only teach one of the three classes. That would change if the referendum passes.

Equipment would be updated in the cabinetry/construction lab and the automotive shop as well. The construction space would be expanded and the auto shop would have additional storage, which would give students more space to work.

Julie Painting attended the information session because she has three children who attend West High School and she wanted to learn more.

“It was very helpful,” Painting said. “I’m very impressed that the teachers, the staff want to do what’s best for the students, for the community, and we’re not talking about extravagant spending. We’re talking about just what’s needed to keep up with our economy.”

Other than the technical education areas, West High would receive a secure entrance area and see the kitchen, cafeteria and outside common space remodeled and repurposed. Students who attend West and the district’s other two high schools would be given a mobile device to use — one for every student.

LTC sponsors Top Tech Award for K-12 staff

From htrnews.com: “Deadline approaching for LTC Top Tech nominations” — CLEVELAND — The deadline for Lakeshore Technical College’s Top Tech Award nominations is Jan. 31. The second annual awards recognize the top educators in career and technical education in Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties.

Four awards will be given to kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers, counselors or administrators who inspire innovation and work to promote career and technical education. The awards will be presented Feb. 20 at a reception at Lakeshore Culinary Institute in Sheboygan.

“This is a great opportunity for students, parents, colleagues and administrators to recognize a teacher who has made a difference in career and technical education at the high school level,” Sara Greenwood, LTC high school liaison coordinator, said in a news release. “The process is easy, and the recognition the winners receive is equally as satisfying as it is to the nominators.”

Nominees should demonstrate innovation in promotion of career and technical education, mentor and inspire students to uncover and pursue their career passions, and participate in outreach activities, according to the release.

Last year’s winners were Ron Schneider and Dave Teske from Kiel High School, representing Manitowoc County, and Ed Hughes of Sheboygan Falls High School, representing Sheboygan County.

For more information, contact Julie Mirecki at (920) 693-1193 or julie.mirecki@gotoltc.edu.

NTC instructor honored for volunteer service

From wausaudailyherald.com: “D.C. Everest recognizes volunteer for work at Junior High” — WESTON — Joseph Wilhelm was recognized and thanked by the D.C. Everest School Board Nov. 20 for his volunteer service at D.C. Everest Junior High.

For the past four years, Wilhelm has volunteered countless hours working with students in the technical education classes. Additionally, he served for a year on the D.C. Everest Idea Charter School Board.

Wilhelm shares knowledge and skills from his 35 years in manufacturing, engineering and management with the technical education students. He leverages industry connections by arranging guest speakers and tours; encourages female students to consider career options in industry, including arranging meetings for interested female students with local female engineers; and encourages students to participate in rich and varied learning opportunities such as plays, concerts and other district and community events to make connections with one another.

The greatest barometer of Wilhelm’s impact at the junior high is student feedback. Students like Wilhelm a great deal. They have made comments including, “He cares about us,” “He makes learning fun,” and “We learn a lot from him.”

This school year, Wilhelm is teaching at Northcentral Technical College and continuing his volunteer work at the junior high during two periods each day.

BMHS fairs expose students to career success ingredients

From beloitdailynews.com: “BMHS fairs expose students to career success ingredients” — Beloit Memorial High School was buzzing with activity on Thursday morning as the school held its first Wisconsin Education Fair in the field house and first Annual Career and Technical Education Fair in the Barkin Arena.

Juniors and seniors had a two-hour block to visit both fairs to learn about possible careers and the skills and education required to obtain them.

The Wisconsin Education Fair (WEF) featured four-year universities, colleges, technical colleges and other post-secondary schools. BMHS school counselor Erin Wolf said it was the first time WEF, the largest educational fair in Wisconsin, came to Beloit. Those at BMHS had tried for two years to get the school to be one of the approved sites. On Thursday, Wolf said there were 102 post-secondary options represented including two-year and four-year schools in addition to the military and cosmetology schools.

Representatives from universities and colleges from Iowa, Alabama, Minnesota, North Dakota and other states were represented.

BMHS senior Heather Miller, interested in biology and astronomy, was checking out a booth from Northland College, a small school in Ashland, Wis. She said she liked the idea of a college with classes as small as 12-14 students. She said having schools from across the state and country was a great idea.

“I don’t have to go visit all of them. To come here is pretty helpful,” she said.

Students Erica Dominguez-Martinez, Ann McKee and Kaitlyn Rivas were chatting with University of Wisconsin-Platteville Admission Advisor Katharine Caywood about their interests in psychology, foreign languages, animal science and business degrees.

Kaitlyn said she was interested in Platteville because of it’s forensic science investigation major as she hopes to become a coroner or medical examiner. Caywood told her Platteville also offers internships at the Rockford, Ill., Coroner’s Office.

Wolf said the fair was a great success, and that afterward school counselors were preparing to make individual contact with all the seniors to help them work on their college application processes.

Businesses involved in manufacturing, construction, welding, information systems, graphic arts, even tourism and hospitality were invited to set up a booth at the Career and Technical Education Fair. And on Thursday some were getting some hands-on experience.

Blackhawk Technical College Culinary Arts instructor and executive pastry chef Katie Thomas’s table was a hit with students as she offered them the opportunity to make little swan-shaped cream puffs. She said it was a great way to engage with students.

“Students feel like they’ve made something, and it gets their creative juices flowing,” she said.

Heather Warne, a human resource generalist, with Prent Thermoforming out of Janesville, said her company packages medical components. There is a strong need for engineers as well as machine operators as well as IT, finance and human resource professionals. She said students who come out of high school with some automotive training can be easily trained to work on machines.

University of Wiscoinsin-Platteville Professor of Electrical Engineering Dale Buechler, Ph.D., who works with engineering students at UW-Rock County, brought a miniature solar panel, paper plate turbine and a circuit board to entice students into pursuing engineering careers. He told them with Rock County’s partnership with UW-Platteville, there are classes in the evenings allowing students to work during the day while pursuing engineering. And advances in technologies have made much of the equipment more affordable and portable so students can spend less time on campus and more time working at home.

WITC president honored

From newrichmondnews.com: “WITC president honored by group” — Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College President Bob Meyer was recently selected to receive a Wisconsin Association for Career and Technical Education’s 2013 President’s Award. This award is presented each year to outstanding professionals in career and technical education.

“I’m humbled and appreciative to have received this recognition because of the high regard I have for the Wisconsin Association of Career and Technical Education,” Meyer said.

The Wisconsin Association of Career and Technical Education combines the efforts of more than 800 professionals from all levels of education in Wisconsin, as well as business and industry partners, to promote Career and Technical Education. WACTE’s focus is on professional development of its members and development of CTE leadership statewide.

“As we consider the vital role CTE plays in our economy preparing ‘job ready’ individuals, I am grateful for WACTE’s role in advocating for the importance of CTE across Wisconsin,” Meyer said.

“Bob set aside funding for WITC employees to attend CTE events at a time of unprecedented budget cuts,” said Leslie Bleskachek, WACTE’s president, who also serves as WITC academic dean, Business Division. “He also attended and participated in many of the organized events during the year. The fact that he set aside time in his very busy calendar demonstrates his commitment to CTE, its stakeholders and students. In addition, he clearly places a priority on these supportive events, which serves a model for our other members, who might claim it is difficult to find time in their schedules for CTE support. If a president can find the time and resources, others can as well.”

Meyer received his award April 11 during the annual Professional Development Conference in Middleton, Wis.

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College serves the educational and career needs of more than 25,000 residents.

Column: Career, tech education a real-world way to learn

From marshfieldnews.com: “Column: Career, tech education a real-world way to learn” — By Brenda Dillenburg, dean of the Mid-State Technical College Marshfield campus – Career and technical education is a cooperative effort between technical colleges and employers. Students receive instruction and training in the classroom and also with local employers through internships, externships and clinical rotations. These real-world skills and experiences help graduates be better prepared to enter or re-enter the world of work.

 

Mid-State Technical College offers certificates, technical diplomas and associate degrees in more than 100 areas.

MSTC graduates enjoy careers in many industries and service areas in all of our communities. Some examples include law enforcement and corrections officers, surgical technologists, manufacturing and electronic technicians, welders, registered nurses, automotive technicians, accountants, cosmetologists, urban foresters, business managers, supervisors, marketing professionals, computer programmers, medical assistants, respiratory therapists and much more. As we look around at the businesses and industries in our community, it is easy to see the impact of career and technical education.

A technical college education is the training that is sought after and needed by employers in the 21st century. In fact, 93 percent of employers are satisfied or very satisfied with the education and training and would hire technical college graduates again.

The preparation provided at a technical college includes the necessary academic and technical skills to be highly productive employees in their field of choice.

The required technical skills are changing each and every year; many of these skills were unheard of a generation ago. We work with employers in our communities to stay abreast of changes and advances in technology so that these new tools and skills are incorporated into our programs.

In addition to offering programs of study to meet the workforce needs of tomorrow, technical colleges are well suited to offer just-in-time training and training aimed at upgrading employees’ skills.

Mid-State Technical College is your community’s college. Turn to us when you are ready to develop employee training or enter a program of study to earn your associate degree or technical diploma. MSTC’s Marshfield Campus is at 2600 W.Fifth St. in Marshfield. You may reach us at 715-387-2538 or visit our website at mstc.edu. Let us know how we can be of service to you.

Commentary: Reinvigorating career and technical education

From journaltimes.com: “Commentary: Reinvigorating career and technical  education” — By Tony Evers, Wisconsin Supt. of Public Instruction — In Wisconsin and across the nation, employers are warning of impending shortages of workers in several specialized careers. Public education can help fix this problem as we reinvigorate the state’s high school Career and Technical Education programs.

While a bachelor’s degree is an important path to lifetime success and family-supporting careers, it is not the only route. Students and parents need information about diploma and apprenticeship programs, technical college degrees and industry certifications that require less than a four-year degree but also lead to a good life and a successful, rewarding career. Information and outreach are important parts of reinvigorating CTE. In October, about 20 manufacturing facilities across the state opened their doors to provide a new perspective on a variety of technical careers. Courtesy of a job-training grant, Western Technical College in

La Crosse supported a video series, “Max & Ben’s Manufacturing Adventures,” to help middle school students explore technical careers. Sustaining and expanding these types of efforts will require collaboration among all CTE partners.

When we reinvigorate CTE, we’re not just training students for high-demand jobs. The 16 career clusters, which are broad occupational groupings, provide high school students with rigorous academic preparation and skills for success in college, career and civic life. CTE gives students hands-on experience, developing the “soft skills” like punctuality, teamwork and problem-solving that employers say they want and are needed throughout life.

Because CTE programs must be at the forefront of innovation and industry standards, they can be expensive and have been hard hit by education funding cuts. Our most recent staffing survey showed a 6 percent cut to career and technical education positions in one year’s time. CTE needs a financial investment, which I’ve requested in my 2013-15 education budget. But, CTE also requires renewed partnerships with our state’s technical colleges, businesses and industries. The programs I visited for last year’s CTE Month observance overwhelmingly had strong connections with the local technical college and nearby employers. I expect to see similar partnerships Guest Editorials for Career and Technical Education Month when I tour programs in western Wisconsin, the Fox River Valley and southeastern Wisconsin during February’s CTE Month observance this year.

Career and technical education aligns talent development, job opportunities and workforce needs, supporting economic growth throughout the state. During February’s Career and Technical Education Month observance, and throughout the coming year, let’s work to reinvigorate CTE.

CVTC hosts regional conference focusing on STEM education

From cvtc.edu: “CVTC hosts regional conference focusing on future of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education” — The future of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education in Wisconsin was the focus of a regional conference held recently at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC).

“The STEM conference was a wonderful opportunity to bring together representatives from business and industry, higher education, K12 education, and a number of community agencies to assist us as we work with others from across the state to create Wisconsin’s road map for STEM education,” said Dr. Ellen Kirking, CVTC’s vice president for education.  “Through these conversations we were able to generate ideas that will help us as we build this framework.”

The gathering at CVTC was one of six regional conferences held throughout the state.  In her welcoming address to the nearly 90 participants gathered at the Manufacturing Education Center, Ellen said, “Our economy and the quality of life in Wisconsin will grow and thrive through the development and promotion of STEM education and careers.”

Ellen cited statistics from the State Office of Economic Advisors indicating that 10 percent of all jobs in Wisconsin are STEM-related, and that percentage is expected to rise to 20 percent for all new jobs created in the state between now and 2016.

The purpose of the STEM conference at CVTC was four-fold:

• To build awareness of the value of STEM education as a pathway to economic success.
• To provide resources and experiences for Wisconsin educators, from pre-kindergarten through college, to develop STEM knowledge and skills.
• To position STEM education as a valued outcome for all Wisconsin students.
• To promote STEM skills as an economic advantage for those entering the Wisconsin workforce.

Aliesha Crowe, dean of Energy, Agriculture, and Technology at CVTC, led the K-12 educators during their discussion of STEM issues at the conference.  Her group included administrators, teachers, counselors, and high school career prep staff from school districts throughout the CVTC and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College districts.

Aliesha explained that the Wisconsin Technology Council will compile the ideas and suggestions coming out of the conference at CVTC and the five other regional STEM conferences into a “white paper” that can serve as a guide for a statewide approach to STEM education during the next decade.  This “white paper,” also referred to as a “road map” for the future of STEM education in Wisconsin, is scheduled to be released this fall.

“The people at our conference were excited to contribute to the STEM road map report, and they are very interested in receiving the report when it is completed,” Aliesha said.

“Success in advancing STEM education relies heavily on cooperation amongst those with a vested interest in STEM and a shared knowledge and language of what STEM really means for Wisconsin,” she added.   “I see the road map as a critical step in establishing the partnerships and sharing the knowledge.  In addition, I think the STEM road map report will be very helpful in fostering further development of STEM initiatives at CVTC.”

Aliesha explained that CVTC established a STEM Planning Team in 2010. That team, which includes Student Services and Academic leadership as well as faculty, has been working to increase enrollment in STEM-related programs at the college and to create awareness of STEM education at CVTC and throughout its 11-county district.

“The advancement of STEM education in the state of Wisconsin is not a K-12 issue or a higher education issue, but rather a statewide issue,” Aliesha said.  “The great turnout of K-12, higher education, business and industry, and community representatives at our STEM regional conference clearly indicates the importance of STEM education to west-central and northern Wisconsin.”

Ellen also praised the outcome of the regional conference at CVTC.

“Using our vision for Wisconsin, we can work to overcome myths and misinformation about STEM, give students the foundation they need for their careers, and give employers the talented and qualified workforce their businesses need,” she said.

Technical Education Showcased for State Superintendent Evers

From sunprairie.k12.wi.us: “Career & Technical Education Showcased for State Superintendent Evers” — Sun Prairie students were impressive as they showed Wisconsin’s State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Tony Evers, their high school and talked about the wide array of Career and Technical Education programs available.

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month and Dr. Evers chose to visit Sun Prairie as one of five schools to hear about their CTE programs.  Dr. Evers also heard about the school district’s relationships with the business community in Sun Prairie as the two work cooperatively to create additional pathways to graduation.  “Students need a wide range of rigorous, authentic career development experiences throughout their PK-12 education,” said Dr. Evers. “These will help them learn skills as well as chart their future course, which is an essential part of graduating ready for further education or the workforce.”

Sun Prairie has a history of award-winning CTE programs available to students, including:

• SkillsUSA:  A partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has skilled workforce.
• ProStart:  A nationwide, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills for the future.
• Certified Nursing Assistant Program
• IT Youth Apprenticeship and Transcripted Credit with opportunities for students to learn and work (with pay) in the following career fields:  Auto Technician, Finance/Accounting, Hospitality, Pharmacy Technician, Biotechnology, Information Technology, and Veterinary Technician.
• School-Based Enterprise, including marketing and management of the school store, as well as Sun Prairie’s award-winning DECA chapters.
• Technology and Engineering
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

FVTC Foundation arranges donation to high school

From wausaudailyherald.com: “Everest receives donation of Kohler engines” —  WESTON — D.C. Everest Senior High School senior Andy Schmidt couldn’t wait for the class to open the box.

“This is really cool,” he said, pulling a small engine out of a box after school Feb. 3 at D.C. Everest Senior High School.

The school received 24 engines through a donation from Kohler Engines in Kohler. The company donated 1,000 7-horsepower engines, used in machines such as lawnmowers and snowmobiles, valued at $210 each to schools in the state. The donations were administered through the Fox Valley Technical College Foundation.

“It’s just been really exciting networking with the high schools and getting to know the instructors,” said Dale Drees, lead instructor for the outdoor power equipment program at Fox Valley Technical College.

John Glynn, tech ed teacher at D.C. Everest, said the $5,000 donation will mean better education opportunities for his students.

“Before, we got engines donated from local businesses, so in a class of 20 students, you could have 20 different engines,” Glynn said. “Now, each student will have the same engine.”

Schmidt said the new engines are in much better condition than the school’s previous engines.

“You know these all work,” he said, patting one of the new engines. “Otherwise, you spent all your time trying to figure out what was wrong (with the old engines).”

Aaron Hoffman, career and technical education coordinator for the D.C. Everest Area School District, said students having the same engine also will help save the district money and time.

“If one engine goes down, you have an extra and all the parts are the same,” he said. “We won’t have to scrounge for parts.”

Jauch Signing Proclamation Today

From ashlandcurrent.com: “Jauch Signing Proclamation Today” — State Sen. Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) is signing a proclamation at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior today recognizing February 2012 as Career and Technical Education month.

The signing will take place at 10 a.m. in the WITC-Conference Center on the Superior campus. Jauch will be joined by local lawmakers and business leaders, along with WITC administrators and staff.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Technical College System are using February’s observance of Career and Technical Education Month in Wisconsin to highlight the wide range of opportunities available to youth in the state who wish to explore their career options, and the benefit of those programs to Wisconsin industry and communities.

Career and technical education has become increasingly relevant in the United States economy, preparing workers for jobs that are in high demand, with 10 of the top 20 fastest growing careers requiring a technical education, WITC reports.

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College serves the educational and career needs of more than 25,000 residents of northwestern Wisconsin each year. WITC is a member of Wisconsin Technical College System. For more information, call 800.243.WITC.

 

Moraine Park celebrates Career and Technical Education month

From morainepark.edu: “Moraine Park celebrates Career and Technical Education month” — With some of the fastest growing occupations requiring an associate’s degree or technical diploma, technical colleges are poised to help Wisconsin on the road to economic recovery. February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) month throughout the state and nation, and Moraine Park Technical College is highlighting the importance of Technical Education throughout the month.

District-wide, Moraine Park celebrates CTE month with Discover Moraine Park (DMP), February 7, 8 and 9 on the College’s Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac and West Bend campuses, respectively. DMP is an annual event for anyone wanting to get a jump start on the admissions process. Participants receive information on Moraine Park programs and further assistance on meeting their career goals and completing the steps needed for the admissions process. Representatives from student services, college activities, clubs, student government, admissions and financial aid are present to answer questions.

Also celebrating is the Moraine Park Association of Career and Technical Education (MPACTE). The organization is holding its annual awards banquet on February 20 to recognize individuals for their dedication to and excellence in career and technical education. Throughout the year, MPACTE supports student achievement by awarding eight $300 scholarships to full-time Moraine Park students and five $200 scholarships to part-time Moraine Park students. Scholarships are cosponsored by both the Moraine Park Federation of Teachers and the MPACTE organization.

At the State level, The Wisconsin Association of CTE is holding a legislative seminar in Madison on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The seminar will look at the future of CTE in the State of Wisconsin and how to be more effective advocates for CTE. “Wisconsin’s 16 technical colleges have forged strong local partnerships with business and industry, as well as beneficial collaborations with area public school districts,” added Dan Clancy, president of the Wisconsin Technical College System. “Successful implementation of the resulting career pathways will ensure that educational opportunities align with industry needs and students see a clear path to future career success.”

Nationally, Moraine Park President Sheila Ruhland will be attending 2012 National Policy Seminar hosted by the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) where she will meet with key members of Congress and hear from national leaders in education.

High school auto shop students earn tech college credits

From wausaudailyherald.com: “Beyond shop talk: Auto curriculum at Everest gets an overhaul” — Next year, when auto mechanics students at D.C. Everest Senior High School work on a car, they will be helping people get to work.

As part of the district’s new auto tech curriculum, students will work on cars for Wheels to Work, a nonprofit program that offers low-cost vehicles and repairs to struggling Marathon County residents.

“It’s awesome. We’re just getting (students at Everest) started, but we’re very excited,” said Becky Kopp, project coordinator for Wheels to Work.

The program accepts donated vehicles, which then are repaired to working order, if needed. Kopp said having students do the work on the vehicles saves the organization money.

“For a brake job, we’d normally pay about $100. If a school does it, we pay about $30,” Kopp said. “It’s almost free labor, and it also helps the students get experience working on vehicles for real people.”

Aaron Hoffman, career and technical education coordinator for the D.C. Everest Area School District, said the new curriculum — which will be implemented in the 2012-13 school year and includes a basic car-care course, advanced auto mechanics and auto technology — will help better prepare students for technical college.

Students who take advanced auto mechanics can get two transcripted credits at Northcentral Technical College, and students who take auto technology can get certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

 

Gateway cited as example of tech ed connecting with jobs

From communitycollegetimes.com: “Tech ed offers opportunities to connect with jobs” — ​Career and technical education (CTE) programs may be the way to boost high school graduation rates and put students on a college and career pathway, according to panelists at an American Youth Policy Forum discussion this week.

Securing a living-wage job is becoming harder for workers with high school diplomas or less—particularly for women in that category. College is the best path to employment and middle-class earnings, but higher degrees won’t always lead to higher-paying jobs, according to panelist Anthony Carnevale, research professor and director of the Georgetown University Center of Education and the Workforce (CEW).

“It’s not so much the educational level as what you take and how that leads to a job,” Carnevale said.

The discussion coincided with the release of CEW’s report Career Clusters: Forecasting Demand for High School Through College Jobs. The study predicts job opportunities and skill requirements within 16 CTE clusters, including manufacturing, architecture and construction, and hospitality and tourism.

The study shows that for those with high school diplomas, decent jobs still exist but there are not enough to go around. Only one in three of high school-level jobs will pay wages of $35,000 or more.

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