Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin: Paving the Way for Future Operating Engineers Through Hands-On Externship Programs

Originally published on WKOW (ABC) – June 16th, 2024

A recent episode of Building Wisconsin, discusses an exciting initiative at the Operating Engineers 139 Training Center in Coloma. The center’s externship program offers a hands-on introduction to careers in operating engineering for high school students across the state. Spread over three days in the fall and spring, the program attracts up to 1,500 students annually, providing them with practical experience and insights into the field.

Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin (DCAWI) plays a pivotal role in this initiative. As an online public charter school, DCAWI partners with Wisconsin’s McFarland School District to offer pre-apprenticeship courses to students statewide at no cost. This flexible educational model allows students to take specialized classes online while remaining enrolled in their home schools, thus enabling them to participate in extracurricular activities and sports. The program provides a cost-free pathway to becoming an operating engineer, making it accessible to a broad range of students.

The externship program is designed to give students a real-world experience of what it’s like to work as an operating engineer. Participants operate advanced simulators and actual heavy equipment under professional supervision, gaining valuable hands-on experience. The initiative aims to address the industry’s workforce needs, with a significant portion of the current workforce approaching retirement.

Rob underscores the externship’s value, showcasing the enthusiasm of both students and instructors. The experience not only energizes students but also encourages them to pursue further education and training through DCAWI.

For more information about Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin, please visit https://dcawi.k12.com/.