APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Classroom to Career, an Appleton Area School District program aimed to help students explore career interests, is celebrating the grand opening of the Lamers Family Foundation Launch Studio located at Appleton West High School.
Launch Studio will be an engaging space for students at Appleton West, Appleton Technical Academy and the Renaissance School for the Arts to learn about careers directly from members of the Fox Cities business community.
“The business world from our community can come in and meet with and work with our students as they work on their academic and career plans, so that they are classroom and career ready when they graduate,” said Principal Mark McQuade. “Our students have exposure to the sorts of jobs and careers that are available here. So rather than taking our students on a bunch of field trips, we bring the field trips to them…Helping our kids learn a little bit more about what’s here and available to them for great careers in the Fox Cities area, and helping them to make a more informed decision as they move forward in education or in pursuit of a career…We want to make sure our kids know that it’s not only a great place to grow up, but it’s also a great place to have a rewarding career. That helps our community a little bit more, and it also helps our students.”
Launch Studio is partnering with local businesses like McMahon/Lamers, The Boldt Company, Plexus Corporation, and Nicolet Bank with additional support provided by Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Orthopedic & Sports Institute, Talkdesk, Fox Valley Technical College, Pierce Manufacturing, USA TODAY NETWORK- Wisconsin, NOVO Health, Salon CTI and Werner Electric.
“We all know that there’s a huge talent gap out there and everybody needs labor, and our kids have a lot of opportunities coming out of high school,” McQuade told WTAQ News. “With the rising cost of post-secondary education, it’s really important that students have a little bit more of an idea of what exactly is involved. Rather than to get through 3 or 4 years of college only to find out ‘this wasn’t what I wanted’.”
The partners can also set up student internships and youth apprenticeships through the program.
A grand opening is scheduled at the school from 5 – 7 p.m. tonight.
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