Our Vision

Investing in an economy that creates good-paying, family-supporting jobs for the people of Wisconsin is a top priority for Governor Tony Evers. The administration is working on a comprehensive plan to foster an economic climate that attracts and retains a talented workforce. That future workforce can be found in Wisconsin's highly-engaged students, staff, families, and communities.

Our Challenge

Wisconsin employers are increasingly calling for skilled workers. Yet, according to the 2022 Manufacturing Vitality Index, 91% of manufacturers are experiencing difficulty finding talent. The 2019 Wisconsin Hospital Association Workforce Report stated that "physician shortages, the increased health care demands created by an aging population and the challenges presented by increasingly complex care pathways as care continues to move from inpatient to outpatient settings strain all sectors of the health care workforce." The list of high-need employment sectors goes on and on.  

Our Opportunity

At CESA 8, our identity as an educational agency makes us uniquely positioned to assist students as they make connections with local businesses. We understand the challenges and opportunities of the educational setting, having been educators ourselves, and our partnerships with local chambers and economic development agencies afford us the best leverage to provide our students and businesses with workforce development services. Our expertise in providing professional development services to rural school districts insures that all students and educators in the CESA 8 area will have equitable access to Career Readiness opportunities.

Our Goal

The goal of CESA 8's Center on Education for Economic Development (E4ED) is to promote business-education connections for a Career Ready Wisconsin through:
Supporting districts in the creation of State- Endorsed Regional Career Pathways through the Pathways Wisconsin project
Coordinating Academic and Career Planning support for CESA 8's 27 member school districts
Integrating  school-based and work-based learning as a member of the Northwoods Youth Apprenticeship Program
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Providing web-based career research and work-based learning opportunities showcasing Northeast Wisconsin businesses through the Inspire Northeast Wisconsin portal
Back in 2023!

​Creating direct classroom-to-workplace connections through the Career Academy Teacher Externship Program each summer

Our Drivers

The work of education for economic development has many moving parts, and it can be difficult to envision how all of these pieces come together. The graphic below demonstrates how each component and tool contributes to the goal of Career Readiness for all Wisconsin students.