The Center on Education and Work (CEW) is a research, technical assistance, and resource provider within the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Established in 1964, the Center has a rich tradition of assisting educators and career development practitioners with program evaluation, qualitative and quantitative research, professional development training, and career resources.
Through its work, the Center seeks to enhance the quality of career-related learning and outcomes for all youth and adults, including those with disabilities or other factors that challenge performance and success.
Center staff demonstrate expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research encompassing a wide range of designs and ranging from case studies to multi-site empirical research. Areas of focus include career and technical education, school-based enterprises, Advanced Placement, math and science education, and secondary school reform.
Center staff also conduct both small-scale and large-scale multi-site program evaluations. Evaluation designs include Stufflebeam’s CIPP model as well as other approaches appropriate to specific program evaluations. Current and completed large-scale evaluations include the Wisconsin State Improvement Grant, the Advanced Placement Expansion Project, and the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship program.
Wisconsin Careers has a 30-year history of providing career development products in the state. Throughout this time, Wisconsin Careers’ purpose has been inherent in its mission statement: To foster lifelong career development, a meaningful work life, and a sound economic future for all Wisconsin residents. Efforts to encourage this process are fueled by the belief that career development is vital for students and adults, which is especially important in this ever-changing world.
The annual Careers Conference is a premier national event in the field of career development and education for work. Designed for educators and practitioners at all educational levels, the Careers Conference presents learning opportunities that range from an introduction to career development theory to the very latest in advanced practices.
The Center provides quality professional development experiences through annual summer workshops and project-related seminars in a number of areas related to career development and education for work. The Center is also an authorized provider for the Global Career Development Facilitator and Global Career Development Instructor programs.