Fox Valley Technical College is celebrating the second cohort of students who recently earned their educational certificates through Career EXCELerate, the partnership program offered by Goodwill of North Central Wisconsin (NCW), Fox Valley Technical College and Rawhide Youth Services.

Career EXCELerate is a comprehensive career-training program that was created in summer 2022 with support from a Workforce Innovation Grant from the state of Wisconsin. The program is offered at no cost to individuals who want to launch a lasting career but are struggling and would benefit from individualized support to advance in their profession, enter a career or return to the workforce.

Almost 30 students in the winter 2023 cohort completed certificates in Nursing Assistant, Early Childhood Teacher Aide, Professional Truck Driving, Welding Fundamentals, Woodworking Technician, and Diesel Technician.

“You see everybody in here, they all accomplished something that they couldn’t do without this grant, without the help from everybody,” says Trevor Wiegert, completer of the Professional Truck Driving program, “We all get to start our next career. It’s a great feeling.”

As of December 1, 2023, 89% of students who completed Career EXCELerate have either obtained employment or continued with additional education in their field of study within one year of completion. Also, those who are employed are benefiting from improved financial stability as they secure higher-paying jobs.

The program focuses on providing tracks that have future career development options. Enrollment takes place on an ongoing basis for all career educational certificate programs. Educational tracks offered by Career EXCELerate include:

• Nursing Assistant
• Early Childhood Teacher Aide
• Woodworking Technician
• Plumbing Fundamentals
• Welding Fundamentals
• Professional Truck Driving - Class A and B CDLs
• Heavy-Duty Vehicle Maintenance - Diesel Technology Assistant

Job seekers and local employers can go online to learn more about Career EXCELerate.