Northwood Tech Helps Deliver Work Opportunities for Wisconsin Youth

Just as spring brings new growth out of winter’s clutches, Northwood Technical College offers youth and young adults in West Central Wisconsin the opportunity to gain new career opportunities. To that end, “Northwood Tech” became the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) service provider for the West Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (West Central Works) Youth Program in February 2024. The program provides individuals access to academic career planning, apprenticeships, career & technical education, internships, training programs, work permits and more. 

“We are proud to pair with West Central Works to meet disadvantaged youth where they are to help them consider career paths while securing a talented workforce for local employers future success,” said Anthony Goettl, Northwood Technical College Director, WIOA Youth Training and Employment. “Our goals are to help these individuals explore their dream jobs, develop skills for success in the workplace, access higher education opportunities and other critical services.” 

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

In its efforts to provide the highest quality, most effective workforce development services in the region, West Central Works fully embraces opportunities like the WIOA. Created by federal law in 2014, the WIOA streamlines the workforce development system to offer services to support the individual, resulting in successful employment in the competitive labor market. 

West Central Works seeks to collaborate with area partners with the expertise, resources and networks to reach these individuals. Northwood Tech is one such institution and one of the Aspen Institute’s top U.S. Community Colleges for its career-focused degree and certificate programs, customized business training and a wide array of personal and career enrichment courses.

As the West Central Works WIOA service provider, Northwood Tech created the Guidance, Education And Readiness for Youth and Young Adults (GEAR) Program. GEAR is a WIOA Title 1 Youth and Young Adult program to help low-income, in-school youth aged 14 - 21 and out-of-school youth aged 16 - 24 with educational opportunities, occupational skills training and more in recognition of their role as the future's emerging workforce. 

GEAR creates pathways for youth to leverage their strengths to overcome barriers and succeed in education, career training and the workforce. Eligible youth and young adults receive educational support, career counseling, job search guidance, skills training and work experience. GEAR is flexible and tailored to local needs, overseen by West Central Works and the American Job Center. Eligibility extends to out-of-school and in-school youth meeting certain specifications. An application can be found here.

Specific aspects the program seeks to deliver include:

Preparing individuals for the workplace by gaining the skills, education and training to succeed in the job market.

• Paid training and work experience
• Career assessments and coaching
• Job shadowing

Ensuring career pathways align with the needs of local employers.

• Assistance in completing a GED/HSED
• Tuition assistance
• Individual program coaching

Supportive services to assist in overcoming barriers to employment.

• Counseling and mentoring
• Transportation assistance
• Childcare services
• Financial incentives

Explore options to finish high school or continue to a two- or four-year college or university

• Align career and college goals
• Research college programs
• Visit college campuses

Holistic development for academic, employment, and personal needs.

• Team building
• Leadership skills
• Community service

Get your questions answered today!

• View our quick and easy tool to determine if you are eligible!
• Apply Now
• Learn what services and support are delivered through the WIOA Young Adult Program with this video!
• See if your county of residence is served by the WIOA Young Adult Program.
• Helpful WIOA Fact Sheet
• For further assistance, please contact the Northwood Tech individuals below:

Anthony Goettl
Director, WIOA Youth Training and Employment
715.788.7189

Susan Hodnefield
WIOA Youth Training and Employment Navigator
715.752.8143

Setting a course for workforce development

The collaborative approach between Northwood Tech and West Central Works highlights the potential available for workers and employees in West Central Wisconsin. Building a better quality of life for all individuals and businesses in a community is never-ending. Click here to learn more about the ways West Central Works seeks to foster opportunity and growth today!