The Career and Life Ready Department (CLRD) provides various services to help young people prepare for their careers.

Below is a list of services and related links:

Academic and Career Planning/Education for Employment:  

Academic and Career Planning, or ACP, is a student-driven, adult-supported process in which students create and cultivate their own unique and information-based visions for post-secondary success, obtained through self-exploration, career exploration, and the development of career management and planning skills.  ACP is embedded into the E4E statute, which spans elementary, middle, and high school grade levels and includes additional requirements for how school districts must prepare students for employment and citizenship.

WI DPI ACP Site

Wisconsin ACP Lessons

WiseLearn Career Readiness Resources

Regional Career Pathways

The Wisconsin Regional Career Pathways (RCP) approach is a statewide effort to deliver high-quality career pathways in high schools that reflect the needs and vision of a regional collaborative group of employers, education, and economic and workforce development.  A career pathway is a series of connected career and technical education and training opportunities that move seamlessly into a postsecondary option for a specific career area.

New North

North Central

Carl Perkins

Carl Perkins is a federally funded, state-managed grant for CTE programs. All public high schools in the state of Wisconsin qualify for Perkins funding.  

CESA 8  serves as the fiscal agent for the administration of the CESA 8 Carl D. Perkins Consortium Grant:

• Administration of Carl D. Perkins Act funds, including preparation and monitoring of the consortium’s budget and claims submission as required by the Department of Public Instruction.

• Monitor district budgets to ensure timely expenditures and

• Payment to districts for reimbursement of approved project expenditures.

• Preparation and submission of the year-end report.

• Tracking and follow-up through an annual audit of all documentation as required by grant regulations

Youth Apprenticeship

Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship program is a part of a statewide School-to-Work initiative. It is designed for high school students who want hands-on learning in an occupational area at a work site along with classroom instruction.  CESA 8 and partnering school districts serve the region with the Northwoods YA Consortium.  Some CESA 8 districts may also be served by other consortiums.

Inspire Wisconsin

Inspire WI is a regional collaboration connecting students and educators to career professionals who will inspire and expose them to new opportunities across all industry sectors.  This platform is a fee-for-service option that connects districts virtually with business/industry partners.

Additional Contract Services

If your district needs training, support, and/or coaching on Career Readiness topics, please feel free to contact the Career and Life Ready Department.

For more information, contact: