Apprenticeship Program Drives Local Business
Luxemburg-Casco completed a $27.8 million project with Nexus Solutions that included a relocated middle school, a community fitness center, classroom additions, library updates, a shared gymnasium, a first-in-class wrestling center, an upgraded kitchen facility and new main office. When it was completed, some of the students came to Director of Instruction Mike Snowberry in tears and said, “It’s so beautiful.”
These projects included spaces that support their Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program, which is making a measurable and monumental change in the community. Specifically, by providing dedicated technical education spaces in the new middle school wing and updates to the high school automotive, manufacturing, Ag, and Fab Lab.
Juan’s story
Juan was one of the first students in the program’s Automotive track, a program supported in part by $100,000 in donations from local employers. Juan had been “at risk” and struggling to find success in school, but thanks to this public/private partnership, he’s finished his apprenticeship and the dealer’s “Ford School”. In just two short years, at the age of 20, he is scheduled to make $68,000.
What It’s Like Today
This program has become a combined effort with surrounding school districts. CESA 7 describes Youth Apprenticeship for Luxemburg-Casco’s area:
Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship program is a part of a statewide School-to-Work initiative. It is designed for high school students who want hands-on learning in an occupational area at a worksite along with classroom instruction. The Northeastern Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship consortium (NEWYA) is taking YA to new heights and combines the strengths of three organizations - CESA 7, the Greater Green Bay Chamber, and the success of the former Anhapee Consortium - to create a streamlined process for students to connect with employers and gain valuable workforce experience as a youth apprentice.
YA students are required to work at least 440 hours per year. But one student loved their hands-on work so much, they worked 800 hours. Not only do they gain skills, but they build maturity and make healthy and helpful connections. The program cuts college costs by providing different tracks to earn college credits. This year alone, sixty-two students will earn college credits and save almost 60% per credit while earning the opportunity to participate in the YA Program.
Community Economic Development Multiplier
YA has been great for the students and their families, but it’s also been great for the local employers who, like employers everywhere, are desperate for skilled, mature, and reliable employees. The national worker shortage has caused many businesses to stagnate, if not close, and small towns have been particularly hard hit. But businesses are growing in the Luxemburg-Casco area.
Strong Leaders Needed to Take Bold Risks
Snowberry and Glenn Schlender (Luxemburg-Casco’s recently retired superintendent) were among the school leaders who concluded a radical new approach was needed to let their kids succeed. Fortunately, they had ideas and energy to burn.
By listening to the community’s needs, building partnerships with local employers, and planning facilities that both equip and inspire students they have been able to fulfill personal visions of helping students find their purpose. In Part II, we’ll talk about how Luxemburg-Casco met the challenge of relocating and consolidating the middle school into this project.
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