By Jason Kreul

Fennimore Times

FENNIMORE — Much has been made and printed lately concerning the recent Workforce Innovation Grant and the collaboration with Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, UW-Platteville and CESA 3. CESA 3 Executive Director Jamie Nutter would like more people, primarily high school students and their parents to be more aware of what CESA can offer to them to “jump start” their post high school education and/or future career field. 

This also an opportunity for active employer partners, businesses and industry reps to introduce current high school students to their respective businesses in order to the keep the “pipeline” strong. 

What is CESA 3 exactly? According to their website, “CESA 3, located in Fennimore, serves the unique needs of schools and children in Southwestern Wisconsin.  The state agency creates opportunities for schools, regardless of size, to work together to share staff and equipment, save money, and extend educational opportunities to all children.  CESA 3 provides these services without levying taxes or receiving state aid.”

CESA has 12 Wisconsin districts, each serving a region of the state.  CESA serves 34 small, rural school districts in Southwestern Wisconsin, and strives to ensure its districts are well informed and up-to-date with state and national initiatives, mandates, and expectation, as well as provide equitable access to high quality professional development and support for educators in rural districts.  

Using CESA 3 can “create career pathways” according to Nutter by starting high school students early in their education/career paths through CESA 3’s Youth Apprenticeship Programs. Students can receive training, credits and financial incentives thanks to the funding from the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). The program is growing with 330 students enrolled this year, up from 115 students the prior year. 

 All programs are state approved, and are available in fields such as agriculture, finance, IT, health support, hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, STEM and more. All growing fields with job opportunities in Southwest Wisconsin, and all needing skilled, trained employees sooner rather than later.  

Schools that have students participate in the various youth apprenticeship programs can receive up to $1,000 in incentives and CESA receives $1,100, which in turn covers the instructional cost.

Quite the win-win for everyone involved.

Students are not only receive hands on training and related instruction in fields they want to pursue a career in, but can gain college credits, up to 12, towards an associates or bachelor’s degree.

For students to be in and complete the program, they are required to have a total of 450 hours or 20 hours a week in their apprenticeship, and have to be paid at least minimum wage. They are evaluated and given proper instruction.

 As stated earlier, CESA 3 is focused only on Southwest Wisconsin, and their goal is to work with students in the area, an to keep students in the area once they’ve completed their education, which is one of the primary goals of the collaboration with them, SWTC and UW-Platteville.  

For students and business interested the Youth Apprenticeship program, CESA 3 recommends contacting your local school guidance counselor(s).