SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - It was nearly one year ago when the Sheboygan Area School District announced a new technical education initiative called Red Raider Manufacturing.
The program, a combined effort between the district, LTC, and local manufacturers, would create a learning environment that allows students to get the necessary training needed to get a job that local factories need.
Speaking to WHBL News, Superintendent Joe Sheehan says the curriculum is in place and students have begun to take classes. However, class space at the local high schools is not in place yet. "We’ve ordered equipment. We are going to be adding on to North, and discussions on what we are going to do specifically at South, whether to add on or refurbish pieces."
Sheehan says this is not the fault of local manufacturers, who have given over three million dollars to help fund for new equipment and classroom space to create a learning space where students can feel what it's like to work at a local factory.
However, efforts have been slowed due to a rejection of a federal grant, citing the guideline that they don’t fund K-12 education. "Why wait until they graduate from high school, and then they said they want to go to college, but quite frankly a good chunk of them shouldn’t be," says Sheehan. "They should be getting technical skills and going into the workforce. Well, right now the federal government is saying ‘well, after they graduate then we can support them, but they aren’t supporting K-12.’"
Sheehan says he hopes Red Raider Manufacturing will lead to companies pressuring federal legislators to push for a change.
Find out more about the program by clicking here.