Careers in Motion April 2022

Manufacturing:

Bay Link Manufacturing^® Offers Green Bay Students Real-World Manufacturing Job Experience

Green Bay Area Public School

After a year of navigating virtual learning, Bay Link Manufacturing^® instructor Andy Belongia and his students are excited to get back to work. Bay Link Manufacturing^® is a manufacturing learning lab for students located in Green Bay’s West High School. Bay Link is equipped to complete projects for local companies in the areas of industrial welding, machine fabrication and metals. Juniors and seniors at any Green Bay Area Public School District school are eligible to apply for entrance into the program. Students receive high school credit as well as college credit from NWTC upon completion of the program.

“I’m very excited that my students will have the opportunity to experience the Bay Link Manufacturing^® program in-person,” said Belongia. “Hands-on learning, collaborating with classmates and completing projects for local companies is the true Bay Link experience.”

Fall 2021, Volume 1, Page 20

Fab Lab at Wabeno School District Offers Opportunities

Wabeno Area School District

Wabeno’s Fab Lab was established in 2017, when area voters passed a one-time referendum to fund it. All renovation and equipment installation was complete in January of 2018. In 2019, Wabeno High School was awarded our first Wisconsin Economic Development Committee (WEDC) grant. This grant was used to purchase a 65 ton Ironworker, a five-in-one heat press machine, an acrylic bender, a band saw, a drum sander, a belt/disc sander, a box and pan brake, a welder, a metal drop saw, and five iPad Airs. All of this equipment, along with our existing equipment, created a professional manufacturing setting that enables the students and community the ability to make almost anything.

Fall 2021, Volume 1, Page 21

Red Raider Manufacturing Fills in the Skills Gap

Sheboygan Area School District

It’s no secret that for many years, employers in the manufacturing industry have faced challenges filling open positions with qualified candidates. As part of its commitment to creating flexible options and college and career pathways for all learners, the Sheboygan Area School District (SASD) established Red Raider Manufacturing, a program that strives to help fill that gap while creating lasting partnerships with local industry and community leaders. 

Since the 2016-2017 school year, students at Sheboygan North High School and Sheboygan South High School have benefited from a collaboration between SASD staff, local manufacturing experts, and Lakeshore Technical College (LTC). This innovative program incorporates fundamental principles of manufacturing, allowing these students to graduate with essential skills needed by today’s manufacturing employers. 

Fall 2021, Volume 1, Page 24

Healthcare:

MHS AMPs Up Health Care Programming

Mukwonago Area School District

A global pandemic provided ironic timing for the inaugural year of Mukwonago High School’s newest academic pathway, the Academy of Medical Professions (AMP). In its first year, AMP welcomed 77 students through a variety of health care-related courses, transcripted credits through WCTC and a capstone course. This program is designed to give students a deeper understanding of medical professions and help meet a greater demand for medical professionals.

Beyond the coursework at MHS, AMP students receive firsthand experience with different health and medical elements through partnerships with an area hospital and clinic.

Winter 2021-22, Volume 1, Page 12

Transportation:

Wausau East Transportation is More Than Just Auto Mechanics

Wausau School District

Wausau East High School, located within the Wausau School District, is home to an 8,000-square foot automotive shop that gives students, 130 to 150 on average per year, the opportunity to learn all three career areas within the transportation pathway: Auto Technicians, Auto Collision, and Diesel Mechanics.

The shop, built after the passing of a community-wide referendum in 2015, features three two-point hoists, two four-point hoists, one heavy duty four-post hoist for semi/diesel, a low-rise hoist for auto collision, a paint booth and paint mixing room, as well as, new state-of-the-art wheel alignment equipment, a tire balancer, and an attached classroom. It also has its own semi-truck that students can work on.

Winter 2021-22, Volume 1, Page 19

Jefferson Automotive Students Top Regional Contest

Jefferson High School

Unable to participate in the face-to-face, hands-on competitions they normally would have taken part in last spring, Jefferson High School’s automotive students rocked a virtual challenge instead, taking home first place as a school plus a number of individual honors.

Every year, the Madison College (formerly known as MATC) automotive department hosts the Firestone Challenge. Last year’s competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the pandemic still ongoing and vaccinations not available to everyone, this year there was no state-level competition, but students did have the opportunity to compete regionally in the virtual Firestone Challenge.

Winter 2021-22, Volume 1, Page 32

Partnership Provides Opportunities and New Facilities are in Progress at Neenah High School

Neenah Joint School District

A partnership between the Neenah Joint School District and Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) allows Neenah High School students to earn an automotive technical diploma from the college following graduation.

Neenah became the first school in the Fox Valley to partner with the college on this type of program when it began in 2014–15. Both Neenah and the college staff deliver the curriculum throughout grades 9-12 on both campuses. It is offered through the standard Neenah school calendar and the college’s summer offerings. 

“This program provides a great opportunity for our students,” Neenah superintendent Dr. Mary Pfeiffer said. “It would not be possible without the commitment and ambition of our staff, and for that, we are so appreciative.”

Winter 2021-22, Volume 1, Page 33

Construction:

AASD Students are Hands-on with Habitat

Appleton Area School District

For over 20 years the Appleton Area School District (AASD) has built a house from the ground up through our House Construction class. This high school class engages students in real-world experiences in all aspects of the construction field and strongly resembles the pace and expectations of an actual construction site. The added benefit is that the student’s hard work and learning lead to a new home for a deserving family. 

Under the guidance of the school build instructor, approximately 18 students from all three Appleton high schools spend two hours each school day engaged in an interactive, hands-on curriculum covering a wide range of construction topics and skills. Students don’t only learn about one skill such as tiling or cabinet making—they actively work at the job site, gaining real-world experience across a diverse set of construction-related and interpersonal skills.

Winter 2021-22, Volume 1, Page 15

D.C. Everest Senior High’s Fifteen-Year Partnership with Habitat for Humanity Expands High-Demand Career Opportunities for Students

D.C. Everest Area School District

When the D.C. Everest Senior High first partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Wausau fifteen years ago, it was clear the hands-on learning and opportunity to work side-by-side with construction experts from around the community were key benefits for students. Not only did the experience provide students with an opportunity to explore construction as a career, it exposed them to the minutiae of managing the construction process — an experience they simply couldn’t duplicate within a classroom. In the past 15 years, plenty has changed at the D.C. Everest Area School District and as a result the school’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity has taken on even greater significance as new courses, initiatives and facilities have expanded opportunities for the students and the non-profit organization. 

Winter 2021-22, Volume 1, Page 16

ACE Academy at Fond du Lac High School Builds Connections Between Students and Career Opportunities in the Trades

The need for talent in the skilled trades has been growing and with this expansion comes opportunities for those entering the field. Seeing the potential to better prepare students for these high demand careers, Fond du Lac High School (FHS) launched an Architecture Construction Engineering (ACE) Academy in the 2015-16 school year. It is one of only seven ACE Academies in the state of Wisconsin.

An ACE Academy, according to the AGC of Wisconsin, is a high school level education program that integrates academia with technical education in construction related fields, identifying the relevance of one to the other and thereby improving student understanding and retention.

Winter 2021-22, Volume 1, Page 18