Campus now boasts state-of-the-art training facilities, equipping students for local skilled workforce positions
Preparing the Next Generation for Manufacturing and Construction Careers: The Beloit Memorial High School Model
Beloit Memorial High School in Beloit, Wisconsin, is leading the way in career and technical education (CTE), providing students with industry-relevant training, certifications, and hands-on experience directly aligned with local labor market needs.
The school's high-end, on-campus training facilities include construction areas for masonry, plumbing, and electrical work, as well as welding shops and a car repair center. These facilities enable students to gain practical skills valuable to the manufacturing and construction sectors.
One of the key contributions of Beloit Memorial High School is its high participation in workplace learning. Nearly one in three students participates in work-based learning programs, surpassing Wisconsin’s statewide goal of 7% of high school students in such programs by 2026. This engagement exposes students to local manufacturing and construction workplaces early on.
Another significant contribution is the school's focus on industry-recognized certifications. Over 40% of students graduate with at least one industry certification, and 25% have multiple certifications covering skills such as welding or OSHA workplace safety, which are directly relevant to manufacturing and construction jobs. This certification attainment is incentivized by state funding, motivating schools to provide these opportunities.
The school's practical training facilities offer a quality that is "better than a lot of technical colleges," allowing students to master skills in real-world settings before entering the workforce.
Beloit Memorial High School's CTE programs emphasize sequences of connected courses, credentials, and work-based experiences that prepare students for specific industries regionally important, such as manufacturing and construction.
Beloit, Wisconsin, is home to a range of businesses that include a Frito-Lay production plant, an Amazon distribution center, and a Navy subcontractor. The three academies at Beloit Memorial High School offer career paths in healthcare, education, business, the arts, hospitality, and more, ensuring that students have a wide range of options to choose from.
Students at Beloit Memorial High School can choose to concentrate in a specific field after ninth grade, allowing them to focus on their chosen career path and gain a competitive edge in the job market.
By combining rigorous technical education, practical training facilities, industry-recognized certifications, and strong work-based learning participation, Wisconsin high schools like Beloit Memorial directly prepare students to enter and fill critical gaps in the manufacturing and construction workforce. This approach addresses local employer needs and helps students secure good-paying, skilled jobs in these sectors immediately after graduation.
- Beloit Memorial High School's emphasis on education and self-development extends beyond classroom learning, incorporating skills-training programs in manufacturing and construction to better prepare students for their future careers.
- The school's career-development initiatives, including workforce development and industry-recognized certifications, offer students a competitive edge, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills for innovation in the rapidly evolving manufacturing and construction sectors.
- With a focus on practical training and real-world experiences, Beloit Memorial High School is bridgeing the inequality gap in education, empowering students to secure good-paying, skilled jobs in the manufacturing and construction industries upon graduation.
