What is Next LEVEL Northwest?
Next LEVEL Northwest is a youth workforce and leadership development program created by Northwest Wisconsin CEP to help young people explore careers, build confidence, develop workplace skills, and prepare for their future.
Built around the LEVEL framework — Learning, Earning, Vocational Exploration, and Leadership — the program connects youth with career exploration opportunities, hands-on learning experiences, work-based learning, mentorship, and leadership development activities designed to support success both in school and beyond.
Next LEVEL Northwest serves both in-school and out-of-school youth across northwest Wisconsin through flexible, individualized services that meet participants where they are. Whether a young person is exploring career interests for the first time, preparing for employment, or ready for hands-on work experience, the program is designed to provide support, guidance, and real-world opportunities at every stage.
Through strong partnerships with employers, schools, and community organizations, Next LEVEL Northwest helps youth gain the skills, experiences, and connections needed to reach their goals and build a successful future in our region.
Next LEVEL Northwest is supported through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth funding and regional workforce development partnerships.
As a WIOA Youth service provider, Northwest Wisconsin CEP offers direct services and/or will make referrals for the 14 youth elements listed below.
- Tutoring, study skills training, instruction, and dropout prevention and dropout recovery services
- Alternative secondary school services or high school dropout recovery services.
- Paid and unpaid work experience
- Occupational skills training
- Education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation and training
- Leadership development opportunities
- Supportive services
- Adult mentoring
- Comprehensive guidance and counseling
- Financial literacy education
- Entrepreneurial skills training
- Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Career Counseling
- Postsecondary preparation and transition activities
- Follow-up services
Services are based on the individual and the availability of all services are not guaranteed. Please contact CEP for eligibility verification.