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8 | Transportation Today Wisconsin™ Online Edition: www.transportationtodaywi.com
Wausau East Transportation Program Thrives through
Community Partnerships
Auto Awareness: This course covers basic Auto Academy (technical college):
systems of the automobile. units of instruction Students who successfully complete the prereq-
include: tools, auto products, ignition, fuel, elec- uisite transportation classes may be eligible to
trical, cooling, general maintenance, interior/ participate in the local technical college’s Auto
exterior care, and new/used car purchasing. This Academy during their senior year of high school.
course provides a theory of operation and prac- Academy coursework will be taught on the
tical lab experiences for the automobile owner. college campus by college instructors. The Auto
Occupational Mechanics I: Introduction Academy will prepare students to be workforce-
to the automotive service industry including ready through Youth Apprenticeship at area
safety and the use of basic hand and power tools businesses, and they will earn an Automotive
to help the prospective automobile technician Maintenance & Light Repair Technical Diploma.
work safely and efficiently. Students will learn All credits (a tuition value of $1,800) transfer
to perform basic under-hood and under-car ser- to the college’s associate degrees or technical
vices including: Basic Maintenance, Steering, diplomas, so students will have a jump start to
Suspension, Brakes, and Tune-up. This course continue their education after high school.
is based on hands-on lab activities supported Youth Apprenticeship — Transportation:
by classroom operational theory of automotive Students have the opportunity to jump-start
systems. The students will have the opportunity their careers by enrolling in Youth Apprentice-
to work on their own vehicle repairs. Addition- ship (YA) where they earn credit while working
ally students will be introduced to the basics of on the job. YA placements are available in auto
autobody/collision repair as well as painting. mechanics, diesel or auto body and collision.
Diana White, Coordinator of Communications they host a Transportation Career Expo which Students who successfully complete this course Students are matched with a mentor that teaches
and Marketing is open to all schools in Central Wisconsin that will receive dual credit through a technical them all aspects of the business while earning a
Wausau School District gives students and parents the chance to meet college. paycheck and elective credit.
Wausau East High School, located within with industry professionals and explore careers Occupational Mechanics II: This class While students can work on their own vehi-
the Wausau School District, is home to an 8,000- in transportation. is a continuation of Occupational Mechanics I. cles in the automotive shop, they can also work
square foot automotive shop that gives students, It’s this kind of support of our transporta- The course develops entry level skills/competen- on ‘customer vehicles’ that are dropped off at the
115 to 130 on average per year, the opportunity to tion program, and the transportation pathway in cies in the following ASE (National Institute for beginning of the day. Students diagnose them,
learn all three career areas within the transporta- general, that’s allowing our students to get real Automotive Service Excellence) areas: Suspen- develop quotes, order parts, install the parts and
tion pathway: Auto Technicians, Auto Collision, hands-on experience — preparing them for life sion & Steering, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic repair, and help with billing. All experiences that
and Diesel Mechanics. after high school. Systems, and Engine Performance. Time will still set them up for success after high school.
The shop, built after the passing of a Our area technical colleges are also step- be spent both in class and at the jobsite (where “This automotive facility at Wausau East is
community-wide referendum in 2015, features ping up in a big way to support students. Through applicable). In the lab and at the jobsite (where a shining example of what happens when admin-
three two-point hoists, two four-point hoists, a partnership with one of the colleges, students applicable) students will gain hands-on experi- istration, businesses, and community members
one heavy duty four-post hoist for semi/diesel, can learn all about Diesel Mechanics. What ence with state-of-the-art tools and large-scale are all pulling in the same direction. This is truly
a low rise hoist for auto collision, a paint booth makes this opportunity unique, in particular, is diagnostic/repair equipment, develop employ- a win-win scenario in our community and our
and paint mixing room, as well as state-of-the-art that the college’s diesel instructor meets virtually ability skills and spend time developing a good school district,” said Poppe.
wheel alignment equipment, a tire balancer, and with students every week. Then, the instructor resume. Lab work will be performed mainly on All of which align to the Wausau School
an attached classroom. It also has its own semi makes it a point to actually visit Wausau East late model donated vehicles; however, students District’s mission of advancing student learning,
truck that students can work on. High School to work with students in the class on will have the opportunity to work on their own achievement, and success.
This opportunity, for Wausau School Dis- trucks. In addition, once a year, students actually vehicle repairs. Students who successfully com-
trict students, would not be possible without get to travel to train in the college’s facility. plete this course will receive dual credit through www.wausauschools.org
the support of a number of amazing community “It’s a way for the students to get another a technical college.
partners. One of those partners is the WATEA. instructor’s perspective with this and interact
WATEA is a professional organization made up with a real live college instructor. The kids are
of industry partners who support the transpor- getting a lot more with this than just a regular
tation pathway in all areas of education. One dual credit class,” said Mark Poppe, Wausau East
example of how they do that is that they provide Automotive Teacher.
vehicles for students to work on. Once repaired, Students are able to get 4 credits through
those vehicles get donated back into a commu- the class.
nity program called ‘Wheels to Work,’ providing Other classes available to students in the
people with the transportation they need to get to Wausau East Automotive Shop include:
and from their jobs. Introduction to Power Mechanics: This
They also helps develop new programs like course is designed for students who are interested
Auto Collision & Repair training for post gradu- in exploring the internal combustion engine as
ates. This program is in partnership with the local well as basic professional shop procedures/tasks.
technical college and Wausau East High School. During this class students will explore basic tools,
Classes, taught by college instructors, are held at measurement, and engine theory of operation/
the high school. construction. Student experiences will include:
Their support includes a golf fundraiser in engine rebuilding, troubleshooting and two and
July, which helps with scholarships and funding four-cycle engine theory. Students should expect
for educational programs. Then, each February, to spend the majority of their time in the lab.