Launching the Future: Workforce Readiness Reimagined
June 04, 2025
Author
This is the fifth part of a twenty-one blog series, 5 Years Later: Lessons, Innovation, and the Future of Public Education, exploring how how PreK-12 education has evolved and what lessons we carry forward. This series will highlight the resilience, creativity, and strategic adaptations that have redefined public education since the pandemic. View the full schedule and roster of contributors
Preparing students for the workforce has long been a cornerstone of public education. From the federal Job Training Partnership Act of 1982 to the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, schools and states have continually evolved their approaches to help students chart paths toward meaningful careers.
But what does a modern continuum of workforce readiness options look like for today鈥檚 high school students?
A Regional Vision in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, all secondary students engage in 鈥攁 process designed to guide personal exploration and future planning. In Sheboygan
and Ozaukee Counties, this planning is supported by an unusually rich landscape of options.
At Cedar Grove-Belgium High School, students explore hands-on career pathways through a wide selection of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, including:
Culinary arts
Welding
Small engines
Woodworking
Computer-aided drafting (CAD)
For those drawn to advanced manufacturing, an additional opportunity begins in their junior year: Rocket Academy.
Meeting a Community Need
Manufacturing is the largest employment sector in Sheboygan County, accounting for over a third of all local jobs. The idea for Rocket Academy emerged from a growing awareness: students needed pathways into these high-demand careers, and local employers were eager for a new generation of skilled workers.
Rocket Academy was born from a collaborative effort鈥攍ed by the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District, with key support from Lab Midwest and local manufacturing partners. Funding came through workforce development grants, aligning educational innovation
with regional economic needs.
Inside the Academy
is a tuition-free public charter school authorized by the district. Students choose from several career pathways in the skilled trades, including:
HVAC Technology
Welding Fabrication
Precision CNC Machining
Electro-Mechanical/Industrial Maintenance
The pandemic made it even clearer: students benefit when education adapts to their needs.
At the heart of the program is a competency-based education model鈥攕tudents move through material at their own pace, mastering concepts before advancing.
Some students stick closely to the expected pace of 12 college credits per year, while others go further. One particularly motivated student completed 23 credits over two years, explaining how he thrived on setting stretch goals. Another described breaking tasks into smaller steps鈥攁lternating reading and hands-on work鈥攗ntil each skill clicked.
A parent observed, 鈥淵ou almost have to unschool your brain,鈥� to fully understand the flexibility of this model. Enrollment has continued to grow as families recognize how it supports a wider variety of learners. The pandemic made it even clearer: students benefit when education adapts to their needs.
Learning by Doing
One of Rocket Academy鈥檚 defining features is its 50/50 structure: students spend half their time in academic settings and the other half on job sites through Wisconsin鈥檚 Youth Apprenticeship program, supported by CESA 6.
These placements at local manufacturing companies allow students to immediately apply what they鈥檙e learning, while also developing critical 鈥渄urable鈥� skills鈥攍ike reliability and time management. One student, who once struggled with school attendance, now shows up early for a 6:30 a.m. shift.
For employers, these apprenticeships create a direct line to future talent. Many graduates transition into full-time roles with the same companies that trained them鈥攁lready equipped with the skills and work ethic to succeed.
Broadening Horizons
Another key aspect of Rocket Academy is the regular opportunity for students to tour local companies and meet professionals across roles鈥攆rom machine operators to executives.
Held twice a month, these visits offer more than just a look at the shop floor. They expand students鈥� understanding of what careers in manufacturing can look like鈥攁nd how those careers can grow over time.
One student, for example, envisions starting out as a welder, then returning to Rocket Academy someday as an instructor.
Prepared for the Road Ahead
Graduates of Rocket Academy leave with more than just a high school diploma. Many also earn:
College credit
Industry-recognized credentials
Technical certificates
The Class of 2025 alone has already earned:
72 industry credentials
132 college credits
Five one-year technical certificates through Lakeshore College
Along the way, they build not only technical expertise but personal strengths鈥攁daptability, perseverance, and professional relationships that will support their journeys beyond high school.
When districts, families, and communities work together, public education can evolve in ways that are both practical and inspiring.
Lessons for Other Communities
For educators and leaders interested in building similar pathways, consider these starting points:
Start with community needs. What industries are hiring?
Build an advisory committee to understand local workforce challenges.
Explore mutually beneficial partnerships with businesses.
Collaborate with postsecondary institutions to show students clear pathways to success.
Work with innovative leaders who believe in possibilities.
Reimagining High School
Post-pandemic, we have the opportunity to reimagine high school. Traditional models work for many students鈥攂ut not all. We learned that students need options.
Rocket Academy represents one way to rethink what high school can be. In bridging classrooms and workplaces, it reflects a powerful truth: when districts, families, and communities work together, public education can evolve in ways that are both practical and inspiring.
