Our renowned work ethic starts with our K-12 students. Area high school students are well prepared for the future, with consistently higher ACT scores than the U.S., and graduation rates higher than both Wisconsin as a whole, and the nation.
In addition, a higher percentage of graduating high school students in the New North (part of the Northeast and Central Wisconsin region), pass Advanced Placement (AP) tests compared to the 13 other states in the College Board's Midwestern region.
Connecting K-12 Students to business and industry
Wisconsin in general, and the Northeast and Central Wisconsin region in particular, have developed programs to successfully connect high school students to business and industry through a broad range of integrated programs, such as:
- Partners in Education (PIE)
PIE links together businesses, the educational system, and the community in an effort to help students make the transition from school to the business world. There are PIE groups throughout our region working together to better prepare students for careers.
- Youth Apprenticeship
The Youth Apprenticeship program is a foundational part of a statewide School-to-Work initiative that has earned Wisconsin national recognition as a leader in education reform. It is designed for high school students who want to experience hands-on learning at the worksite in conjunction with classroom instruction. In addition, the unit is responsible for grant management, monitoring and guidance concerning WIA Title 1 youth-oriented programs coordinated through Wisconsin Job Center locations statewide.
- Apprenticeships
Our region's five area Technical College offer numerous apprenticeship programs where students can "earn while they learn." The program combines on-the-job training with related classroom instruction.
- NEW (North East Wisconsin) Manufacturing Alliance
A group of manufacturers, working with educational institutions, workforce development boards, chambers of commerce and state organizations to promote manufacturing in the Northeast Wisconsin region. The organization also offers job placement and a manufacturing vitality index based on a survey of local manufacturers.
