Job Market Impact on Student Preparation

Labor market information suggests that careers in Health Care, Manufacturing, IT, and Hospitality are the fastest growing career fields in our area. For this reason, the Northwood School District provides students with the opportunity to participate in Youth Apprenticeships, School to Work and Dual Credit options in these fields. We work with the colleges (technical, two-year, and four-year) to provide Medical Terminology and CNA classes for high school students interested in the medical field, and IT coursework provides students with real world experience on-site. Additionally, in the spring of 2017, we offered a Logging/Forestry Technician class in conjunction with Northwood Technical College, formerly Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. Logging and forestry is a strong industry in our area. We need to help ensure that younger folks are prepared to move into these well-paying positions.

Students are provided with information and guidance to make informed decisions regarding their educational and career path whether their career goals are leading to an in-demand career area or a unique, narrow occupational area. Through the utilization Xello, career exploration events, self-assessment, and dual credit course-work, the Northwood School District prepares students for life beyond high school in a variety of ways.

As part of our required College & Career Readiness class for high school Juniors, students participate in a job shadow with a business or individual who works in a field related to the student’s career interest. Students also research career clusters, pathways, and post-secondary options, engage in a mock interview, and participate in the Hired! job-skill training program through Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program (CEP). Students are also required to complete Northwood's Redefining Readiness indicators, which is adopted from the Wisconsin Redefining Ready indicators.