Supported by a WI Workforce Innovation Grant, students earn free certificates to launch in-demand careers
On December 20, Career EXCELerate Wisconsin celebrated its latest cohort of students to earn educational certificates through the collaborative program operated in partnership with Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW), Fox Valley Technical College and Rawhide Youth Services. Students in the fall 2024 cohort completed certificates in Nursing Assistant, Early Childhood Teacher Aide, Professional Truck Driving, Welding Fundamentals, Woodworking Technician and Diesel Technician, Plumbing Fundamentals and Manufacturing Technician.
“Career EXCELerate provides an innovative approach for job seekers who are looking to build skills and sustain employment to achieve those goals,” said Chris Hess, President and CEO of Goodwill NCW. “We are excited for those completing the program who are now entering the workforce and are experiencing the power of work, significantly impacting their families’ financial stability and the greater community.”
Career EXCELerate Wisconsin 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. The goals of the program are to support individuals as they seek in-demand careers in specific areas of study and create a pipeline of job seekers who have the credentials to fill vital roles in Wisconsin.
As of December 6, 2024, 91% 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. Those who have completed the program and secured employment are benefiting from improved financial stability, as they have seen an average increase of approximately $10.05/hour in wages from program intake to their current job.
Levester Matthews, a participant in Career EXCELerate, who recently passed his CDL test said, “Career EXCELerate is more than just the name of a program. It’s made up of a group of individuals who strive to help you succeed. The amount of passion and sincerity that’s given while going through a course with the program is the reason it works and will continue to do so.” Levester recently accepted a job and hauled his first load on December 6.
The program focuses on providing tracks that have future career development options. Enrollment takes place on an ongoing basis for all educational certificate programs. Educational tracks offered by Career EXCELerate include:
- Nursing Assistant
- Early Childhood Teacher Aide
- Woodworking Technician
- Pipe Trades
- Welding Fundamentals
- Professional Truck Driving – Class A and B CDLs
- Heavy-Duty Vehicle Maintenance – Diesel Technology Assistant
- Manufacturing Technician
- Patient Care Technician
- Retail Education
For job seekers: Those interested in earning a certificate through Career EXCELerate can complete the online application form at CareerEXCELerateWI.org.
For local employers: Employers can partner with Career EXCELerate to recruit qualified candidates. Contact careerexceleratewi@goodwillncw.org to learn more.
For referrals: Prospective students can be referred by a local agency, nonprofit, employer or personal contact.
Career EXCELerate Wisconsin, a collaborative program from Goodwill North Central Wisconsin, Fox Valley Technical College and Rawhide Youth Services, offers free job training for high-demand careers, assistance to find a job after completion and supportive resources for the first year of employment, with personalized support throughout the journey. Career EXCELerate is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP0135 awarded to Goodwill via the Wisconsin Workforce Innovation Grant Program by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Learn more at: CareerEXCELerateWI.org
