Waukesha Patch: Forty-four students, or 12 percent of the School District of New Berlin’s Class of 2017, graduated high school with an industry credential in manufacturing, health sciences, information technology, hospitality and/or STEM disciplines, giving them a competitive advantage as they transition to postsecondary education or work.
Attainment of an industry credential is one of many benchmarks monitored by the SDNB as part of its district level ‘College and Career Readiness’ dashboard.
“Industry credentials indicate a level of a commitment to a future career interest and allow students to demonstrate not only what they know, but what they can do with what they know,” Superintendent Joe Garza said. “In 2013, we didn’t have any students on record achieving an industry credential. The Wisconsin Fast Forward Pupil Grant program provided the impetus to relook at our programming to determine which credentials would support students as they explore options that might impact their postsecondary plans.”
During the 2014-15 school year, the district implemented an onsite certified nursing assistant (CNA) program in partnership with LindenGrove of New Berlin and Waukesha County Technical College. This program now certifies approximately 50 CNAs annually. The certification allows students to seek employment at area hospitals and senior care centers and gives them a competitive edge when applying for postsecondary education. One Eisenhower graduates took a CNA job immediately out of high school. Her employer has since offered to pay for her tuition at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to become a registered nurse.