Tech colleges meeting the needs of Wisconsin's dislocated workers

MADISON – As job cuts around the state deepen, the rapid response of Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges demonstrates a commitment to addressing the many issues facing laid-off workers and their families. That was the message from several college presidents in hard-hit areas who spoke to the Wisconsin Technical College System Board Tuesday about the importance of the colleges’ flexibility to respond to this recession. Improving the future outlook of Wisconsin’s dislocated workers is critical to the success of Wisconsin’s businesses and overall economic health.

"It’s a top priority for the Wisconsin Technical College System," said Brent Smith, president of the System Board. "The Board is extremely pleased with the colleges’ efforts to date and will remain focused on this issue in the months ahead."

Many colleges are experiencing double-digit enrollment growth, including 26 percent at Blackhawk Technical College, which is responding to significant layoffs in the automotive industry and related sectors.

Dr. Eric Larson, president of Blackhawk Technical College, said the college is working diligently to respond to mass layoffs in the Janesville area. Larson said it was important to reach out quickly and compassionately.

"We decided we would have a family open house because this affects the entire family," Larson said. "We had a picnic with activities for the kids and we shared everything we had to offer, which really helped break the ice."

To respond to high numbers of displaced workers, Blackhawk and other technical colleges around the state have added more sections to high-demand courses, collaborated with neighboring technical colleges in a regional approach to program delivery and expanded the number of courses offered on evenings and weekends.

In many cases, dislocated workers haven’t received formal education for several years, so they’re underprepared for postsecondary education. The colleges provide these individuals with adult basic education or other academic preparation before they can successfully complete new career programs.

Larson commended his staff for volunteering their personal time to assist with backlogs in registration and provide one-on-one computer usage tutorials. The college also hired a limited-term mental health counselor to address the ancillary impacts of job loss on individuals and families.

While the scale of layoffs has increased recently, colleges like Fox Valley Tech have been serving a steady stream of dislocated workers since manufacturers began to cut jobs 12 years ago, according to Dr. Susan May, president of Fox Valley Technical College.

"When one loses his or her job after long-term employment, this can be a very traumatic, emotional experience," said May. "These are things we need to be sensitive to and aware of when working with people," she told the State Board.

Colleges have an eye toward long-term economic success. Dr. John Clark, Mid-State Technical College president told the State Board it’s important to work closely with communities to search out and implement programs in new frontiers. "We’re focusing on programs in high-paying career areas," said Clark, whose college has implemented a number of programs in renewable energy. "And we’re doing everything we can to get people back into the workforce very quickly."

In addition to addressing job losses that are affecting a broad cross section of our state’s population, the technical colleges are also in the midst of retooling course and program offerings in response to fundamental shifts in our state’s economy.

"A function of the technical colleges has always been to respond to the needs of displaced workers, but this function is even more critical now, as the state is experiencing significant job loss and economic instability," said Dan Clancy, president of the Wisconsin Technical College System. "The quick turnaround the colleges offer helps minimize the impact on our communities during this economic shift."

The Wisconsin Technical College System has 16 technical college districts throughout Wisconsin, which offer more than 300 programs awarding two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas. In addition, the System is the major provider of customized training and technical assistance to Wisconsin’s business and industry community. More than half of all adults in Wisconsin have accessed the technical colleges for education and training in the last decade. Details on career programs can be found at www.witechcolleges.org