Wisconsin's Technical Colleges seeking student ideas for the future

Cash to be awarded in creative video competition

MADISON – Wisconsin’s Technical College students have the opportunity to demonstrate their preparedness for the future in a new, statewide video competition beginning this month. The "Futurefest Ideas Competition" will provide an outlet for students to express their potential impact on the future while competing to win cash prizes.

"Technical college students routinely exhibit impressive creativity and originality," said Dan Clancy, president of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). "This will be an excellent opportunity for us to highlight those abilities and talents."

The competition is designed to honor the creative spirit of its students, the educators who mentor them, and the culture of originality thriving at technical college campuses across Wisconsin. All technical college students taking credit-based courses have until February 1, 2009 to submit their entries. A panel of judges at each college will determine a semifinalist who will compete statewide for one of three cash prizes: $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000. Prizes will be awarded in April. The short videos may include students’ unique visions of the future at school, home, travel or play, and will be on display at www.wearefuturemakers.com. Entry guidelines are also available at this site.

"This competition celebrates our students’ unique talents of our students, of which we’re very proud," said WTCS spokesperson Kyle Schwarm. "This is an exciting opportunity to see our students’ perspectives of the future."

The competition is sponsored by Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin Apprenticeship & Training Trust and the Foundations of Fox Valley Technical College and Blackhawk Technical College. To learn more about the competition or about Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges, go to www.wearefuturemakers.com.

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.