Teamwork Promotes Skilled Trade Careers for the Next Generation

The ACE Academy

The idea for the ACE (Architecture, Construction and Engineering) Academy began when local contractors along with the Associated General Contractors of Wiscosin identified the growing need to educate skilled workers as the Fond du Lac school district was also looking to expand its construction program.

After raising funds to build and outfit the nearly 6,000-square-foot facility, the district launched ACE at Fond du Lac High School in the 2016-2017 school year with 35 students. Today that number has grown to 235 students offering education in 16 skilled trades, reflecting a robust response to the increasing demand for skilled professionals in these fields.

ACE offers education in a variety of skilled trades including architecture, concrete, engineering, HVAC, equipment operating, carpentry, electrical, masonry and plumbing. The academy is guided in part by those same local businesses who will hire its graduates. During the 2023-24 school year, for example, students benefited from more than 1,000 hours of training and mentorship time donated by 58 local contractors, gaining valuable real-world skills from practicing experts.

The program first introduces students to the skilled trades through an “ACE Exploration” course in freshman year, and then provides more in-depth and rigorous training in those trades over the next three years. Core courses include blueprint reading, carpentry, drafting, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work. These foundational classes are designed to provide students with a solid understanding of each discipline, preparing them for specialized tracks aligned with their interests and career aspirations.

Students spend one or two class periods per day at the academy, where they get both classroom instruction and hands-on experience working on projects like building a half bath, complete with plumbing, fixtures and drainage. Students can also participate in job shadowing and jobsite visits.

“At the beginning of the school year,” explains Vern Widmer, ACE Academy instructor, “we have a calendar made out for teaching the 16 different skilled trades so we can organize our contractors to come in and spend one day or multiple days throughout the year to help us teach that particular skill set.”

High school graduates earn a certificate from ACE, which can help them pursue employment opportunities in the construction industry by exploring options through apprenticeship programs; technical college and university level courses.

The success of the ACE Academy is bolstered by its extensive network with its industry partners. These collaborations provide students with opportunities for youth apprenticeships, internships and direct employment upon graduation underscoring the program’s effectiveness in bridging the gap between education and employment

This academy is the largest collaborative effort in the state of Wisconsin among the construction and contracting industry and education. There are, however, nine other ACE Academies in Wisconsin: