Grant Stories

GOAL

Develop pathways for individuals to secure economic stability and opportunity.

CHALLENGE

With unemployment at less than 3% in Waushara County, businesses are struggling to find qualified workers for job openings. At the same time, 41% of working households in the county do not earn enough to pay for basic necessities.

SUCCESS

Fox Valley Technical College Wautoma Regional Center

After 40 years of offering classes in downtown Wautoma, Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) classes have relocated next door to Wautoma High School providing space for expanded programs offerings and making it easier for local high school students to take college-level courses.

Programs for truck driving, industrial maintenance, and nursing assistants were added to existing programs for adult basic education, agriculture, welding, business and personal enrichment. All with the hopes of producing strong candidates for local employers.

The facility features a new welding bay, industrial maintenance lab, and flexible learning classrooms with added computers. The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation is a proud sponsor of the new state-of-the-art nursing classroom. The Wautoma School District office and Workforce Development Job Center are also houses in the building.

Currently, 40 high school students are enrolled in programs at the new center. By the time they graduate high school, students will have earned a certificate in their anticipated line of work, and enough college credits that will allows them to receive an associate degree earlier than their peers.

“The FVTC Regional Center is a very comfortable atmosphere to learn and I especially value the hands on learning. It has been really nice getting to know other people from the area who have similar interests to me. This opportunity has given me exposure to the skills that I will need in my future.” Evan J – Class B Straight Truck CDL Program

The Fox Valley Technical College Wautoma Regional Center was one of almost 60 programs supported by grants from the Community Impact Fund in 2018.