McFarland school offers pathway to a career in construction with help of trades union

Originally aired on WMTV on March 30, 2024

As the shortage of workers in the construction industry persists, a McFarland based school is offering a hands-on pathway to the career in the trades. Jen Wagner is a principal at Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin. The virtual school is based out of McFarland but offers an education to any student in the state.

“Serving both full and part time students, ranging from Superior to Racine and Green Bay to Platteville,” Wagner said. “Working to ensure that students know what they want to do or don’t want to do as they get prepared for their futures.”

For the last seven years, the academy has partnered with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 to offer students a pathway to a job in the trades. Those interested are connected with the union to get hands-on experience in the field.

“Whether it’s moving dirt, the communication with hand signals or grade stakes or, you know, the GPS itself, makes us a very well-trained group of individuals,” high school course liaison Kip Gutke said.

After going to college, Gutke began teaching but he couldn’t find the right position, eventually turning to construction.

“I got an apprenticeship program and graduated from that and worked my way as an operator in the field,” he said. “An opportunity had worked out here at the training center as an opening and I applied for it wanting to carry on that tradition of teaching and also working with the operating engineers.”

With experience in the field and an ability to connect with the youth, Gutke is hoping to inspire them to give the trades a try.

“I hope that all of our students find that role that really makes them wanna get up every morning and enjoy it because that’s the ultimate goal is that work doesn’t feel like work,” Wagner said.

A few students were involved in the program when it began seven years ago. Wagner says within the last three years, the academy has tripled the number of youth involved with more than 230 students currently enrolled full or part-time.

Those interested in an apprenticeship as an operating engineers can go to 139training.org for more information on the program. Students can also call Wisconsin Operating Engineers Training Center to register for an information session.

To learn more about Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin, visit https://dcawi.k12.com/.