Whitewater Times

Career training opportunities are thriving at Watertown High School through the Career to Technical Education (CTE) program. The CTE department offers over 85 career classes in agriculture, business marketing and IT, family and consumer sciences, health sciences, and technology education. Watertown High School hosts all six Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) available in Wisconsin: FFA; Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA); Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA); Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and SkillsUSA. Additionally, the CTE department provides students with work-based learning opportunities through the School to Career program, including the Youth Apprenticeship program via the Department of Workforce Development and the Cooperative Skills program through the Department of Public Instruction.

During the 2023-24 school year, 118 students participated in the School to Career program—a record number in its 33-year history. Through partnerships with over 90 local businesses, these students gained employment and real-world technical skills in various career pathways. They were awarded certificates from the state that can be used towards adult apprenticeships or college credits.

Among these participants, 80 were seniors who achieved a 100% graduation rate, including two valedictorians. The average GPA was 2.84, with a high of 4.0 and a low of 0.886. The average wage for participating students was $13.23 per hour, with the highest wage earned being $21 per hour.

The program recently received a $52,000 Technical Incentive Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. This funding supports quality CTE programming aimed at mitigating workforce shortages by training, certifying, and connecting students to local jobs. According to Family Consumer Sciences Teacher and School to Career Coordinator Sarah Tarpey, "the funding formula is based on the number of students that graduate with an industry-recognized credential such as a Certified Nursing Assistant License or Youth Apprenticeship Certificate."

Tarpey noted that each year's funding facilitates projects and purchases necessary supplies and equipment. This year’s funds will be combined with remaining grant money from the previous school year to purchase a van for industry tours and CTSO student competitions.

She added that past grant funds have enabled significant growth within the CTE department. "With these funds," Tarpey said, "teachers were able to build a new greenhouse at Watertown High School and purchase major equipment like the technical education department’s Boss Laser." Additionally, funds have paid for updated RealCare babies for family consumer science training and phlebotomy practice kits for health sciences students. Locally, grant funds have been used for equipment repairs, student certifications, registration fees for events students cannot afford, and bussing costs.

The CTE program also receives substantial support from local businesses through donations of equipment, training opportunities, sponsorships, and apprenticeships.

For more information about the CTE program or how to become involved, contact Sarah Tarpey at (920) 262-7500 or email tarpeys@mywusd.org.