Career EXCELerate, a partnership between Fox Valley Technical College, Goodwill North Central Wisconsin and Rawhide Youth Services, is celebrating a major milestone with 100 individuals now in the local workforce after completing the job training program.

Even more impressive, from the time participants enrolled in Career EXCELerate to when they earned their educational credentials and found employment, the average increase in their wages was more than $9 per hour. That translates to a cumulative impact of $1 million for families and our local economy.

Career EXCELerate was launched when Goodwill received a Wisconsin Workforce Innovation grant in the summer of 2022. The training program is offered at no cost to eligible individuals who are ready to launch or upskill their career but may be struggling and would benefit from individualized support such as career coaching, training, employment assistance and connection to resources like childcare and transportation. Goodwill and Rawhide provide many of the wrap-around services and Fox Valley Technical College is responsible for the training programs.

The first cohort of students began in January 2023 and there are eight different training pathways: Nursing Assistant, Early Childhood Teacher Aide, Woodworking Technician, Plumbing Fundamentals, Welding Fundamentals, Manufacturing Technician, Professional Truck Driving and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Maintenance – Diesel Technology Assistant.

Other milestones

• In May, Career EXCELerate recognized 60 individuals who completed their educational certificates during the 2024 spring semester.
• The program also celebrated three cohorts of Congolese refugee students who completed a Manufacturing Technician certificate program this past spring and are now entering the workforce.

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Check out our gallery of milestone moments below and learn more about our program for Congolese newcomers.

 In the News:  FVTC launches program for Congolese refugees to learn about the manufacturing industry

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