Governor Scott Walker emphasizing the need to fill jobs in Wisconsin during a tour of technical colleges following his State of the State address Tuesday night in Madison.
The Governor laying out several ways to fill those gaps and many including changes to secondary education. The Governor hoping to give $3 million to technical colleges in the state to help high school students earn college credits while still in high school.
"To help our high school students get a jump start on their careers," said Gov. Walker.
It's news that Bay Port High School teachers are excited about.
"Working with the tech college we have the ability to the coolest, neatest stuff that they have," said engineering technology teacher, Mike Phillips.
The Howard-Suamico School District is already ahead of the game. They're building partnerships with businesses in the community.
"Any school that's going above and beyond with careers in the trades and working in an educational technology type atmosphere is doing it with businesses partnerships," said engineering technology teacher, Adam Cochert.
At NWTC they say they're eager to partner with more schools.
"It's allowing us to frankly do something that we've been building and growing all along," said NWTC president, Jeff Rafn.
The tech college says they'll be able to offer more credits to students at the high school level at little to no cost.
"If a student comes to a college having completed 12-15 credits, there's a much greater likelihood that they will complete the degree," said Rafn.
Some schools in our area are already ahead of the game, partnering with businesses directly at the high school level to give kids real world experience.
