[NOTE: For a recap of the 2023 program, click here. Details regarding the 2024 program will be available Q4 2023 / Q1 2024.]
The Rock Externship Program is a collaborative, career preparation and readiness offering supported by area employers, Blackhawk Technical College and the County of Rock, Rock County 5.0 and the SW Workforce Development Board to provide direct industry sector and career cluster exposure for high school teachers from any of the school districts throughout Rock County. While primarily targeted at Career & Technical Education, STEM, counseling and/or guidance staff, these externships will also be open to other high school personnel that have the ability to influence a student’s Academic & Career Plan (ACP).
Through the Rock Externship Program, high school staff will have the ability to immerse themselves in business environments and shadow specific occupations and/or disciplines for one week during the summer. The information and experiences gleaned from this focused engagement will then be incorporated into staff lesson plans and related curricula delivery models during the academic year.
Externship placements will be determined through an application and business worksite match-making process; applications are due April 7, 2023. Educators participating in the program will receive a stipend (provided for by non-district funding) in the amount of $1,000 for successfully completing the program's requirements. These requirements include: full participation in the externship week (i.e. June 19 - June 23, 2023; four hours per day), with specific hours TBD; and submitting documentation noting how the information and experiences gained through the externship will be incorporated into lesson planning and related curriculum delivery applications. Participants that opt to leave their (home) school district and/or pursue other employment opportunities, that are not directly affiliated with Rock County's K-16 / workforce development network, following the completion of the program will be required to return (or repay) their stipend.
Overall, the goals of the Rock Externship Program include the following:
- Increase awareness of and exposure to local businesses, specifically as it concerns Academic & Career Planning activities.
- Form, build and/or strengthen relationships to generate new or enhanced career-based learning experiences.
- Facilitate stakeholder information exchanges and curriculum development / delivery ideas, particularly as it concerns career pathway programming.
- Cultivate and augment local talent development pipeline activities, particularly those aligned with Blackhawk Technical College.
Provided below is a listing of the participating employers from the summer 2023 program; details regarding the 2024 program will be provided in Q4 2023 / Q1 2024. Please note, that due to employer COVID-related requirements, externs may be required to document their vaccination status.
For additional program details, contact Molly Markley (the Externship Coordinator) at markley4@blackhawk.edu .