Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary-designee

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 31, 2022
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Coleman High School Tech Ed Program Grows with Addition of Fab Lab and Business Entrepreneur Course

Visit coincides with Gov. Evers proclaiming October as Manufacturing Month

Equipment purchased in part through a Wisconsin Fast Forward Technical Education Equipment Grant is helping to train more students at Coleman High School. (Pictured L-R): Coleman High School Principal Douglas Polomis, Tech Ed teacher Derek Tate, Department of Workforce Development Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek, Jody and Jamie Graetz with Graetz Manufacturing, during a tour of Coleman High School's technical education classrooms.

COLEMAN – Wisconsin Fast Forward Technical Education Equipment Grants awarded to Coleman School District's Fabrication Lab have elevated interest in technical education while providing students the chance to make products used in the community such as the cornhole boards, agricultural signage and kitchen cutting boards.

A Fab Lab gives students hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment such as 3D printers, laser engravers, computer numerical control routers and plasma cutters. The district also has a technical education course called Cougar Enterprise which allows the students to which combines manufacturing training with entrepreneurial skills, giving students insight on how to operate a business.

The Coleman district has used over $30,000 in grant funds to enhance a CNC mill, a machine used to manufacture metal parts. The district was able to purchase CNC plasma cutter updates, CNC mill routers and laser attachments.

The implementation of new technology gives students access to the latest technology, providing rigor and relevance to the school's technical education program. Furthermore, it provides necessary training for the jobs of tomorrow and beyond with the potential to earn credits at Western Technical College.

DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek visited Coleman High School to see the technical education program firsthand.

"Manufacturing is the backbone of Wisconsin's economy, employing approximately 475,000 Wisconsinites earning an average annual wage of $64,000 in 2021. DWD is focused on continued growth by preparing the workforce employers need through partnerships with educational institutions. Through innovative programming and collaborations, we are laying the groundwork for skills that put individuals on the path to family-supporting jobs in high-demand industries," Pechacek said.

Technical Education Equipment Grants reimburse school districts for the purchase and installation costs of technical education equipment used in vocational training and technical education in advanced manufacturing fields, including costs for equipment operation software and instructional materials. The grant program helps students transition from high school into the workforce by supporting technical education and reduces higher education costs by providing dual enrollment credits, industry-endorsed certificates, and technical endorsements on high school diplomas.

To further expand the impact of the program, DWD recently announced the availability of a new round of grants and is encouraging school districts across Wisconsin to apply for up to $50,000 in funding to purchase technical education equipment. A total of $700,000 is available and applications are due by 3 p.m. CST on Dec. 8, 2022.

For additional information, or to download an application, please consult the Grant Program Announcement and related grant program materials on the Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants website.

ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.