2. News Room

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 6, 2018
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
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DWD Awards Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants to Six Technical Colleges

Funding will support additional training and certification geared toward high school students

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has awarded a Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) High School Student Certification grant to six Wisconsin technical colleges that will support hundreds of students across the state.

A total $592,813 was awarded to six technical colleges that will serve 43 school districts and at least 328 high school students across Wisconsin.

"This grant provides further support to technical colleges expanding a plethora of course offerings to high school students across Wisconsin," said DWD Secretary Ray Allen. "In supporting accelerated learning in high-demand career fields, Wisconsin supports a capable future workforce."

Technical college programs that offer high school student certifications provide students the opportunity to earn college credit and learn valuable skills while still in high school, a cost and time saver for Wisconsin's families.

The Wisconsin Fast Forward program encourages increased collaboration among Wisconsin’s workforce, employers, local or regional economic development organizations, workforce development boards, post-secondary institutions and private training providers to develop and execute business-led training programs.

Organizations that received High School Student Certification grants were:

Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) – DWD issued a grant of $99,000 for their WCTC Expanded High School Dual Enrollment Academies project to train up to 42 high school students in their two new Dual Enrollment Academy (DEA) programs: Protective Services pathways to earn Fire Fighter 1, Fire Fighter 2, or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certifications; and Building Construction Trades to earn a DWD Youth Apprenticeship Certificate in Technology & Engineering/Architecture & Construction-Construction or Design and Pre-Construction pathway with related coursework in Construction, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, and Architecture. This project will be implemented in partnership with 9 school districts in in southeastern Wisconsin.

Western Technical College (WTC) – DWD issued a grant of $95,571 for their Nursing Assistant High School Academies project in partnerships with 5 area school districts and 10 healthcare employers to expand their Nursing Assistant program in western Wisconsin for high school students. By providing the 126 hours with 42 hours of hands-on clinical training and skills necessary to pass the Nursing Assistant Registry Exam, up to 78 high school students will earn a three-credit Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certification that will open doors to employment at over 25 healthcare facilities in Western’s district.

Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) – DWD issued a grant of $100,000 for their Preparing Students for Information Technology Careers through Distance Learning project to provide dual enrollment courses and high demand industry-recognized certification for 39 high school students pursuing a career in the IT field. Students will earn up to 12 college credits toward the IT-Software Development Specialist Technical Diploma via face-to-face and distance learning instruction through web conferencing for students in rural areas. This project will be implemented in partnerships with 7 area schools and Cooperative Educational Services Agencies (CESA) #10 & #11 in northwest Wisconsin.

Madison Area Technical College (MATC) – DWD issued a grant of $98,242 to train up to 60 high school and Middle College students for careers in culinary, information technology, and industrial maintenance in their Expanding Certifications for High School Students in the Madison College District project. Through collaboration with 9 School Districts and Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin (WDBSCW), successful students will gain certifications in ProStart (Culinary Arts), CompTIA A+ Computer Essentials (IT), or the Basic Industrial Power Embedded Technical Diploma (IM).

Gateway Technical College (GTC) – DWD issued a grant of $100,000 to train 34 high school students for their Welding Academy project to earn up to 17 college credits in Welding/Manufacturing and Fabrication Technical Diploma, Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) – Certified Production Technician (CPT) Safety Certificate, and Welding Youth Apprenticeship. Successful project completion will prepare students for entry-level welding careers in fields including auto repair, HVAC, and facility maintenance operations. This project will be implemented in partnership with 11 school districts in their service area.

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) – DWD issued a grant of $100,000 for their HVAC/R High School Certifications project to address the demand for highly trained heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) mechanics and technicians. In collaboration with 2 school districts and two local businesses, this dual enrollment certification project will enable 75 high school students to obtain a DWD Youth Apprenticeship Certificate in Technology & Engineering/Architecture & Construction-Construction, OSHA 30, Boiler Operator, Refrigeration/EPA, and up to 14-16 college level credits toward a HVAC/R Technical Diploma.