HHS School To Work program offers many benefits

• Jessica Severson, right, assists Dr. Brenda Bray

Jessica Severson, right, assists Dr. Brenda Bray with a canine examination at Animal Care Center. Jessica is a senior enrolled in a one-year Youth Apprenticeship in Production Agriculture-Animal Science. “This program gave me exposure and helped me realize what is right for me,” said Severson. Photo submitted
• Tylor Sivek works at assembling an Adirondack chair

Tylor Sivek works at assembling an Adirondack chair in the Hudson High School Custom Woods class. In this class, students focus on machine and tool safety along with individual project planning and development. Other woodworking classes available to the students are Cabinetry, Production Woodworking and Construction. Photo submitted

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Hudson High School offers numerous work-based learning programs that can provide opportunities for students to learn job skills and explore careers while in high school.

“Seeing the success of students in the workplace is evidence of the quality work-based learning career and technical education opportunities offered to students,” said Melisa Hansen, School to Career Coordinator at Hudson High School. “It is priceless.”

Through a collaborative effort with school, business and industry, the programs expose students to the world of work and help create an easy transition from school to careers.

“We value all employment opportunities and continue to strive to build new and strengthen existing partnerships with the business community,” said Hansen. “Our business and industry partners have been overwhelmingly supportive of our programs, which is a credit to the community in which we live.”

Each of the programs offered at HHS are state recognized and certified. Offerings include Diversified Occupations, Business Occupations and Co-op, and Youth Apprenticeship. Each offers internship possibilities to students.

Diversified Occupations, a state certified employability skills course, provides students with instruction in workplace readiness skills along with on-the-job training to employ the skills students learn in the classroom.

“I have learned a lot more about myself as a person and the kinds of careers I should pursue,” said Emily Kubler, a Diversified Occupations student.

Students work in an industry area that is supervised by a teacher or coordinator. The experience is typically a paid position and leads to high school graduation. To be eligible and have the opportunity to participate in the program, students must be at least 14 years old and obtain a work permit.

The Cooperative Education Programs offer junior and senior high school students a course of study that integrates academic work, worksite learning and a work experience that is generally a paid position. The program progresses to high school graduation and includes post-secondary options and further preparation for the world of work. Co-ops are state certified skilled experiences and those offered are in the areas of agribusiness animal science, agribusiness plant science, business, child care services, food service, marketing, entrepreneurship, retail marketing, professional sales, sports and entertainment.

Youth Apprenticeship is a state certified work-based learning program that was authorized in 1991 by the Wisconsin Legislature as part of Gov. James Doyle’s GROW initiative. It is available for high school juniors and seniors in the areas of auto collision, auto technician, biotechnology, information technology, drafting and design (architecture, engineering and mechanical), financial services, graphic arts and printing, health services (human information management, medical assistant, nursing assistant and pharmaceutical technician), insurance, lodging management, logistics, manufacturing machining, manufacturing production technician, production agriculture (animal science and plant science), hospitality, tourism and welding.

“The work-based learning program has given me the opportunity to get a feel for the real business world and has further prepared me to know what to expect after college,” said Hardisha White, a student in a Health Services Youth Apprenticeship at Hudson High School.

To be considered for the program, students must complete a minimum of two semesters of related instruction. Many related courses are taken through the Wisconsin technical college system, so students are able to earn both high school and technical college credit concurrently.

Employers hire youth apprentices and train them to industry skill standards. According to the Department of Workforce Development, over 85 percent of YA graduates statewide are offered jobs by their employers at the end of their training. In addition, the survey showed 98 percent of employers say they would recommend the program to other businesses.

Over 30 HHS students have been involved in Youth Apprenticeship opportunities during this school year.

“The focus has been and will continue to be on the needs of our students,” Hansen said. “I am hopeful that we will be able to continue to provide and potentially increase work-based learning opportunities for our students at Hudson High School.”

For more information, contact Hansen, school to career coordinator, at hansenma@hudson.k12.wi.us or (715) 377-3712. Applications for Youth Apprenticeship for the 2009-10 school year are due by April 15.

Tags: education, hudson, work_based, learning