February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. CTE Month celebrates the value of career and technical education for our students, the future workforce, and our economy. CTE programs have a profound impact on our future and are at the heart of solving the skilled labor shortage.  

Wisconsin CTE programs offer a range of exciting opportunities available to our students to explore their career options and the benefit of those programs to Wisconsin industry and communities. (www.dpi.gov)

At Wonewoc-Center Schools, our CTE programs are flourishing and expanding. With the help of some grant funding that was specifically allocated to expand CTE programs, we were able to really grow our programs in the past 18 months! We expanded dual credit course options with Madison College from ONE to SEVEN classes. We were able to offer additional career based learning opportunities for our 9-12 students and continue to develop these opportunities in the middle school as well.  

 Wonewoc-Center’s dedicated CTE staff includes: (L-R). Mrs. Wolfe - Family & Consumer Science/Healthcare, Mr. Wafle - Tech Education (metals/welding), Mr. Degner - Tech Education (woodworking/CAD), Mr. Rudel - Business Education, Mrs. Fletcher - Agriculture Education & FFA. 

Our Technology Education programs offer students the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in areas such as welding, small engines, automotive technology, woodworking, carpentry, home maintenance, CAD drafting, etc. 

It has been a busy school year in the metals/ag shop. We have added two new dual-credit welding classes,Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), and Basic Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), in partnership with Madison College. This has really ignited excitement with some of our students who are passionate about welding.   

During the first semester, our shop was flooded with Small Engine projects, from chainsaws and mower tune ups, all the way up to some major overhauls on a couple of UTVs and snowmobiles. As the second semester has gotten going, we are now getting started on our "Ag Mechanics" class. We've already had one tractor in the shop, in addition to some other ag-related projects. (Jeff Wafle).

The woodworking side of the Tech Ed department has been equally busy with projects and hands-on learning. We have added two dual credit courses with Madison College in this department as well: Woodworking Machinery & Methods and Fundamentals of Construction. Students are excited for the opportunity to begin their career pathway in the trades with these courses. We offer middle school exploratory classes in Tech Ed so students can gain exposure and awareness of what is available to them in these areas. (Dylan Degner).

The Agriculture program continues to thrive with an active FFA chapter, science equivalency credits, and a variety of coursework that provides students with exposure to the broad field of agriculture. Agriculture students have a plethora of opportunities that stretch beyond the classroom at WC with integral lab experiences, Supervised Agricultural Experiences and a strong representation in the surrounding community in Youth Apprenticeship. (Roxanne Fletcher).

Health science students have continued to benefit from our health science lab. Students earned their CNA certifications. Students in the Health Careers class earn their Certified Direct Care Professional (CDCP) certification, along with their OSHA-10 safety certification, which provides them with the basic knowledge to be a well-rounded healthcare worker. New this year is the addition of two dual credit courses being taught by Mrs. Wolfe through Madison College. Medical Terminology is a course that focuses on communication using medical language, and prepares students to understand terminology that will be used for different careers in the healthcare field. Wellness Today is a course that covers a total wellness approach, with an emphasis on fitness and exercise, nutrition, stress management, and how students can plan for a lifetime of wellness. Our HOSA members have been actively involved in volunteering at our local blood drives with the American Red Cross. Every pint of blood raised in the Wonewoc community helps with a scholarship fund available to our HOSA members planning to enter the healthcare field. This is our second year being able to provide this scholarship.(Kristin Wolfe).   

The Business Education department's opportunities for students continue to grow and help them learn life skills to prepare them for their futures. Students can take courses in Business, Accounting, Personal Finance, Marketing, and Investing. Our Intro to Business course is also a dual credit course with Madison College. This course also covers an elective college credit for students outside of the business pathway as well. (Mr. Rudel).

A large number of students have participated in our School to Work and Youth Apprenticeship programs this year. School to Work allows students to earn academic credit while gaining real-world job experience. Through their work placements, students build both the technical and professional skills employers value most.

Youth Apprenticeship expands on this opportunity. Students commit to at least 450 hours of paid, on-the-job training within a specific career pathway during the school year. In addition, they complete related coursework and demonstrate mastery of industry-specific competencies aligned to their chosen field.

Students enrolled in CTE courses can also earn an OSHA certification in certain departments such as Health, Agriculture, EMS, Construction and General. So far this year, our students have received the following industry-recognized certifications:

*7 students have been certified in OSHA Healthcare,.

* 4 WC students have been certified in CNA. 7 total. 

* 6 students have been certified in Direct Patient Care

* 8 students have been certified in OSHA Construction.

*9 students have been certified in OSHA Automotive.

*4 students have completed FFA proficiency applications from their Supervised 

Agricultural Experiences.

  Wonewoc Center Students also have some great options for expanding their CTE knowledge through Career and Technical Student Organizations. (CTSO’s). We offer membership in the National FFA Organization, SkillsUSA, and Future Health Professionals (HOSA). 

 We continue to seek out ways to provide additional learning opportunities for our students in all CTE pathways. Our Tech Ed department is currently working on a grant and local donations to secure funding for a CNC router. Practice on this type of equipment would allow our students to transform digital designs into physical products, foster STEM skills through hands-on experience with CAD, and prepare students for modern manufacturing careers in engineering, robotics, and design while enhancing creativity and critical thinking.