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34 | Transportation Today Wisconsin™ Online Edition: www.transportationtodaywi.com

“I’m training for something I want to do for the rest of my life.”

Casimir Pulaski’s automotive program

shops with two full- automotive teachers at Pulaski. Vallejo is a munity partners is essential to refining and
time teachers. By the graduate of Pulaski who spent years working adapting the program. Industry experts regu-
time they graduate, in the industry. His career came full circle larly review curriculum, skills, technology,
many students receive when he left his employment and returned to and student outcomes to make recommenda-
ASE certification and Pulaski to teach. Bras was a Pulaski science tions and provide connections that keep pace
most will go on to tech- teacher who altered his own pathway to teach with ongoing changes in the industry.
nical schools. auto body work. As a result of ongoing reviews of the
The high school “Students who enter automotive careers automotive curriculum and classroom technol-
automotive program is will always have a job,” said Vallejo, who ogy, Pulaski recently added a body shop with a
one of the largest in the has been an automotive teacher at Pulaski for paint booth to expand the range of skills acces-
state of Wisconsin and more than 10 years. “When you look at how sible to students.
the only program in the many cars are on the road—they will all need Is the program a success? Hundreds of
city of Milwaukee. A repair at some point. The automotive industry graduates have gone on to technical schools
key feature is certifica- just keeps getting more exciting as new tech- or have been hired directly after graduation. A
tion by the Automotive nology comes along and then we train to work number of students have honed their skills and
Service Excellence on these new innovations.” opened their own neighborhood repair shops.
educational Founda- “We have everything that a dealership Pulaski sees a significant number of students
tion (ASe), which sets would have to offer,” says Luis Vallejo. “Any- being hired as youth apprentices while in
Milwaukee Public Schools high program standards, requires instructors thing a dealership says they want us to be high school and then transitioning to full-time
Can students step out of high school and to maintain ASE certification, and allows stu- trained in, or that they kind of need a little help employment directly after they graduate.
into a lucrative, in-demand career? The answer dents to earn a credential. in, we have it and we’re willing to go the extra “I love going to school every day,” said a
is yes at Casimir Pulaski High School in Mil- At Pulaski, the pathway begins when stu- mile to get the training they need.” Pulaski student. “I’m training for something I
waukee, Wisconsin. Students at Pulaski have dents take a survey course. Beginning in the Automotive training of this intensity want to do for the rest of my life. The wages
the option to pursue an automotive program sophomore year, students can enroll in courses would not be possible without local partners are great and I know I’m not following a dead
that prepares them to work in auto shops or such as engine repair, suspension and steering, who serve as mentors and offer internships. end. I could not get this training anywhere else
car dealerships or to continue their training in vehicle diagnosis, and auto servicing. Students A number of local dealers, professional asso- in the city except for Pulaski.”
technical school. learn to work with tools and technology for ciations, auto repair shops, and body shops are
Pulaski, part of Milwaukee Public use with fuel injection, air induction, exhaust actively engaged to serve as guest speakers schools.milwaukee.k12.
Schools, has offered the automotive pathway systems, emission controls, and more. ASe and volunteers. Partners also hire students as
for more than 30 years, and the program has standards are followed for all instruction. interns or youth apprentices. wi.us/pulaski
grown to encompass three complete auto Luis Vallejo and Pablo Bras are the An advisory board made up of com-

MPS Invests in Trade, Technical Staff and Facilities for Students

Preparing for In-Demand Careers

Readiness, develops and supports Facilities for trade, technical and STeM which offers engineering and design
those courses and pathways. (science, technology, engineering, and math- programs. Project Lead The Way is the
The 2020 referen- ematics) instruction have been modernized nationally recognized program that pro-
dum approved by Milwaukee and expanded since 2020. Learning on up- vides hands-on learning in STEM fields.
voters provided the district with to-date equipment and using new technology
funding to expand arts, language, will better prepare MPS students for pursuing Looking Ahead
and physical education instruc- careers after high school. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, MPS will
tion, and it also made a difference Some of the improvements made since improve more facilities for students where
in the lives of students preparing 2020 include: they can gain specialized skills as they prepare
for trade and technical careers • A refurbished automotive lab that now to enter the workforce. The district will:
after high school. includes space for auto body work and a • Upgrade two Project Lead The Way
“We have been able to paint booth at Pulaski High School. rooms at Marshall High School. The
upgrade facilities and help with • The renovated main computer lab at school offers engineering and biomedi-
staffing, and we would like to Washington High School of Informa- cal science programs to its students.
continue to expand and strengthen tion Technology, which now includes a
career and technical education,” • Build a new culinary arts lab with state-
Milwaukee Public Schools said Dr. John R. Hill, Director of College and virtual reality area and some new tech- of-the-art stations and a classroom
The country is facing a growing shortage Career Readiness. nology. addition at Bay View High School.
of workers, acutely felt in skilled trades such Since 2020, the district has added seven • An updated weld shop at Bradley • Renovate the CTE lab, including a new
as electrical, plumbing, and sheet metal work, educator positions in technical education and Technology and Trade School that can robotics workspace, and provide a broad-
as increasing numbers of workers reach retire- computer science and has been able to fund accommodate a new, larger plasma cast studio with green screen at Audubon
ment age. Milwaukee Public Schools is doing support staff, such as for the culinary arts cutter. Besides improvements such as Technology and Communication Center.
its part to help fill that gap, through courses program. The additional revenue since 2020 resized duct systems to meet air-quality mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us
and career pathways that prepare students for also partially funds the coordinator’s posi- requirements, the shop has new, modern
high-wage, highly skilled, in-demand careers. tion for youth apprenticeships; the program equipment.
Career and Technical Education (CTE), has grown in the past year, with increasing • A renovated Project Lead The Way lab
in the MPS Department of College and Career numbers of students becoming apprentices. at Milwaukee High School of the Arts,