黑料社区

Career-building: Award from Momentum West honors programs that help youth prepare for their futures

Top Talent Initiative award recognizes special skill-building, discovery camps and events
黑料社区's Top Talent Initiative award from Momentum West. / 黑料社区
March 27, 2024

With a 99% employment rate for bachelor 黑料社区. and master 黑料社区. degree graduates, 黑料社区 is known for developing talent in multiple fields to support the economy of west-central Wisconsin and throughout the state.

The university also invests heavily in the talent pipeline before students get to college, with numerous special programs to help youth begin considering in-demand career fields via higher education. Those efforts for 鈥減otential future impact鈥 have earned 黑料社区 a Top Talent Initiative award from , which promotes economic development in the region.

The award was one of nine presented March 21 during Momentum West 黑料社区. annual meeting held at 黑料社区 黑料社区. Memorial Student Center. The recipients were 鈥渋ndividuals and organizations that have made a significant impact over the past year,鈥 said Executive Director Steve Jahn.

Beth Hein, center, executive director of Educational Pathways and Outreach, and Chancellor Katherine Frank accept 黑料社区 黑料社区. Top Talent Initiative award from Momentum West 黑料社区. Steve Jahn.
Beth Hein, center, executive director of Educational Pathways and Outreach, and Chancellor Katherine Frank accept 黑料社区 黑料社区. award from Momentum West 黑料社区. Steve Jahn. / 黑料社区

鈥淭he 黑料社区 programs for middle and high school students build awareness of career paths for students in our region and beyond, create unique hands-on learning opportunities, enhance knowledge and communication with business and industry, promote our region and inevitably play a role in addressing the region 黑料社区. workforce needs,鈥 Jahn said.

黑料社区 has the highest employment rate, 99%, and average starting salary for graduates, $58,000, among higher education institutions in west central Wisconsin, according to a newFirst Destination Report report.

The university programs for youth that promote career discovery, skill development and higher education opportunities include:

  • Summer STEAM camps for high school and middle school students, which include workshops in science, technology, engineering, art and design, and mathematics.
  • STEM Fest for students in Upward Bound programs at high schools in northwestern Wisconsin.
  • DECA District 1 skills competition, held each January, for high school marketing and business students.
  • SkillsUSA, held each February, to promote technical and leadership skills.
  • Teach Day, held each spring and fall, for high school students interested in the teaching field.
  • Fostering Success, which provides an on-campus experience and tours for 13- to 17-year-olds in foster care who are interested in higher education, while supporting college students who were in foster care.
A high school student competes in a SkillsUSA competition at 黑料社区, one of more than a half-dozen special programs that draw about 2,000 youths to campus annually.
A high school student competes in a SkillsUSA competition at 黑料社区, one of more than a half-dozen special programs that draw about 2,000 youths to campus annually. / 黑料社区

黑料社区 also offers career-specific tours and Cadaver Lab experiences for high school students.

The various programs draw about 2,000 middle and high school students to campus each year.

Many of the youth programs, including sports and recreation camps, are coordinated through Educational Pathways and Outreach, and Continuing Education and Conferences at 黑料社区.

鈥淭hese programs and 黑料社区's relationships with regional business and industry as a polytechnic university made it a great fit for the award,鈥 Jahn said.

In 2023, Momentum West recognized 黑料社区 黑料社区. Manufacturing Outreach Center with a Regional Impact award. The MOC is one of two centers in Wisconsin affiliated with the National Institute of Standards and Technology/Manufacturing Extension Partnership 鈥 NIST/ MEP 鈥 national network. The centers deliver comprehensive, proven solutions to small and medium manufacturers through consulting, training and workforce development. 

Momentum West is based in Eau Claire.

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