Career and Technical Education (CTE) has a broad reach in Wisconsin
Perkins V, a federal grant that invests in secondary and postsecondary CTE, has two goals:
- create and sustain CTE that prepares students for high-skill, high-demand, high-wage careers; and
- provide the support that affords every student the opportunity to be successful.
In 2023, Perkins V funding supported over 500 CTE programs in over 60 career pathways, impacting more than 140,000 students across Wisconsin's 16 technical colleges and two tribal colleges. At this time, the WTCS Board is seeking public comment on the state-determined levels of performance for postsecondary Perkins indicators.
Performance Targets
Our first federal indicator, post-program placement, gauges the success of CTE graduates six months after completing their programs. We assess whether they transition to employment, higher education, or advanced training.
The second federal indicator, credential attainment, evaluates the completion of degrees for students concentrated in CTE programs. Emphasizing high-wage, high-demand, and high-skilled occupations, these programs encompass pathway certificates, short-term technical diplomas, 1-year diplomas, 2-year diplomas, associate degrees, and apprenticeship programs. Each program is meticulously crafted based on labor market needs and shaped by input from program advisory committees comprising local employers and employees.
Our final federal indicator focuses on students' concentration in nontraditional occupations. Nontraditional occupations (NTOs) are those where either men or women constitute less than 25% of the national workforce. For women, examples include welder, business management specialist, software developer, and landscape technician. For men examples include veterinary assistant, medical billing specialist, dental hygienist and paralegal.
Your Role in Shaping Tomorrow's CTE
Download the draft of our performance targets and share your comments through our short online survey. Your comments will play a pivotal role in refining these metrics and ensuring that Perkins V continues to be a driving force in creating a robust, inclusive, and future-ready workforce in Wisconsin.
Timeline
The survey is open for public comment from November 18, 2024, to January 17, 2025.
Questions or Concerns?
Reach out to us at perkinsv@wtcsystem.edu. Your perspective is invaluable as we collectively work towards a future where Career and Technical Education is not just responsive but proactive in addressing the needs of a dynamic workforce.