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w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m O c t o b e r 2 0 14 • I NSIGH T | 33 I N S I G H T O N WORKFORCE E D U C A T I O N B y M a r g a r e t L e B r u n L ife-like "patients" were tucked into beds in each hospital simulation room at Fox Valley Technical College as a group of high school superintendents, employers and representatives of FVTC toured the college's new Health Simulation and Technology wing with State Workforce Development Sec. Reggie Newson in September. e group was impressed to hear how near real-world medical situations can be played out by students in the wing. is is where, come next spring, a dozen high school seniors from Waupaca and Wautoma will complete training and testing to become nursing assistants. ey'll start training at FVTC's Waupaca campus in January and by the end of the school year, receive the required certificate to work as a nursing assistant (CNA). It's a first step in one of many throughout the state to train high school students for in-demand jobs through the Wisconsin Fast Forward-Blueprint for Prosperity grants. "We were hearing from employers in Waupaca that there is a need for CNAs," said Barb Tuchscherer, FVTC's Allied Health department chair. "is grant is helping them pay for tuition, textbooks, scrubs, shoes" and everything they need to complete their certificate. ey will complete their final labs at the Wisconsin Veteran's Home in King or Bethany Home, Inc. At the end of their training employers will meet with them on interviewing techniques. into law by Gov. Scott Walker in May, adds $35.4 million to the Fast Forward worker training program. It was developed aer surveys conducted by Manpower Group Solutions found a large gap between job openings and available workers in specific industries. e grants target three areas: » For collaborative projects among high schools and technical colleges. About $2.1 million will go toward programs that create pathways for about 1,000 high school juniors and seniors in more than 30 school districts to get work experience. (e FVTC Rural Partnership for Nursing Assistant and College Streamlining skills training $35M in state Blueprint for Prosperity grants pave the way for students, technical colleges, employers to collaborate toward filling in-demand jobs M A R G A R E T L E B R U N Should they decide to advance in the nursing field, she adds, the certificate also allows them to get a head-start with a scholarship up to $1,000 for courses at FVTC. "Having workforce development boards and community-based organizations partnering with our education providers — including K-12, two- and four-year and technical colleges — is significant so we can find pathways to careers for all Wisconsinites," Newson said aer the tour. "Historically, they have worked in silos with different goals and objectives, and this is really aligning everything." e Blueprint for Prosperity, signed [continued] » Bob Sternhagen, Fox Valley Technical College Simulation Coordinator, explains to Workforce Development Secretary Reggie Newson how nursing students learn using a simulation patient in the new wing at FVTC. A Blueprint for Prosperity grant, part of Wisconsin Fast Forward, will enable high school seniors from rural areas to begin training at the college next spring.