Work Pathways Center reports rapid growth, new programs and clinical partnerships

Warrick County School Corporation officials on March 17 said the Work Pathways & Career Center (WPCC) has expanded quickly since it opened and outlined new programs, employer partnerships and a planned signing day for graduates.

At a school spotlight presentation, Drew Girth, principal of the Work Pathways & Career Center, told the Board of Trustees that applications rose from 205 to 325 and that enrollment has grown from 34 in the first year to a projected 256 next year. "We've grown from 205 to 325," Girth said, adding that the growth followed tours organized for every sophomore in the county.

Girth and WPCC staff presented program-by-program results: the biomedical program reported 34 students and 68 industry certifications to date; the civil construction program counted 21 students and roughly 60 certificates in its first year; CNA (certified nursing assistant) had 80 students with 76 certificates earned; EMT had 10 students with 26 certificates; exercise science had 35 students and 230 college credit hours; industrial maintenance and precision machining programs also reported double-digit student enrollment and multiple industry certificates. The presentation summarized two years of results as roughly 445 industry certificates and 2,909 college credit hours across WPCC programs.

Students and instructors described hands-on learning and early college credit. Student Gail Driscoll, a second-year exercise science student, said clinical instructors told her she was performing at a graduate-student level and noted that the program offers discounted college credit and a scholarship pathway. Senior Braden Dillon said he began an internship with EMI Plating and plans to continue there after graduation.

Board members also heard about near-term additions at WPCC: a welding program scheduled to start in fall 2025 (staffing requisitions have been submitted) and an on-campus construction sandbox for civil construction. Girth invited the board to WPCC's first signing day in May at 2 p.m.; the transcript did not specify an exact calendar date.

The board approved two items connected to WPCC during the meeting. First, a nonexclusive clinical affiliation agreement between Warrick County School Corporation and Progressive Health Rehabilitation Inc. to provide clinical sites and qualified professionals for student learning and internships was approved (motion by Mr. Baker, seconded by Mrs. Wilhelmus; vote recorded as "Aye," motion carried). Second, the board accepted a $5,000 donation from Kaiser Aluminum to the WPCC to be used for certification costs and supplies in the advanced manufacturing programs (motion carried as part of the donations consent agenda).

Why it matters: WPCC's enrollment and credentialing gains indicate expanding career-technical education capacity for Warrick County students and tighter ties with local employers, which can shorten students' paths into jobs or postsecondary programs. The clinical affiliation and the Kaiser donation directly support work-based learning and certification costs.

The board did not take additional formal action on staffing for the new welding program beyond noting requisitions have been submitted. Girth said equipment purchases for new programs are in process and that WPCC staff will host the May signing event to recognize students going to college or direct employment.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the March 17 meeting's school spotlight and routine business sections; excerpts from the meeting transcript include Girth's enrollment figures and student remarks about internships and dual-credit coursework.

Ending: Board members praised WPCC students and staff, and the board's approvals of the clinical affiliation and corporate donation clear two practical steps toward expanding work-based learning opportunities at the center.