What Happened?
As many communities struggle to meet workforce demands in key industries, high schools are developing strategies to better prepare students for job opportunities in the local labor markets.
School To Work Grants
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced $2.5 million will be available through the second round of innovative School-to-Work grants administered through the Wisconsin Fast Forward – Blueprint for Prosperity initiative. The DWD will award 45 grants statewide for the development or expansion of employer-driven training programs that prepare high school students for success in the workforce or post-secondary education in high-demand fields.
The goal of the funding is to train 1,102 high school students for jobs offered by 250 local employers in key industries. The programs provide students with industry training and certifications required by many employers in the state. Participants gain access to:
- Work-based learning
- Apprenticeship preparation
- Dual credit models
The first round of School-to-Work grant funding fueled 30 pupil training projects statewide that resulted in the employment of 949 high school students.
Oakland Mentorships
The city of Oakland is encouraging business, government and nonprofit organizations in the community to participate in a summer jobs program. The Classroom2Careers summer jobs program will provide participating high school students with more than an internship opportunity: it will connect students to mentorship opportunities in key industries. Guidance from professionals in the real world will help students better understand how training directly correlates to economic growth and professional success.
The Classroom2Careers program combines career-oriented academic curriculum, relevant work experience and student financial assistance to help prepare high school students for successful careers. The goals of the summer jobs program include:
- Preparing students for college, community college and a variety of professional careers
- Offering meaningful opportunities for students to gain real-world skills and experience
- Connecting students with industry professionals to prepare them for the future
To make the program feasible, students will be able to participate in the mentorship programs while earning a wage. Students will benefit from gaining valuable skills and experience to assistance in their transition into the workforce. Employers will benefit from implementing programs to meet industry-specific skills requirements.
On Campus Manufacturing
While some workforce development programs connect high school students with opportunities at local employers, some are bringing the workplace to school campuses. In Rock Valley, Iowa, the local high school is launching its own manufacturing training program to prepare students for jobs in key growth industries. Juniors and seniors can sign up for the class, learn how to work various machinery and make goods for local residents, KTIV reported.
The students will be able to sell the products they create to the public for profit. Students will learn how to work as a team, develop a product and then market the commodity in the real world. The school launched a website where residents can purchase items from the high school manufacturing program to support the initiative. The goal is to not only teach valuable manufacturing skills to high school students, but also spur an entrepreneurial spirit in the participants, KTIV reported.
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