Technical colleges address skills gap
Manufacturing event highlights WTCS initiatives
MADISON – Representatives of Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges will bring solutions to the skills gap at the Manufacturing Matters Conference May 9. The conference begins at 7 a.m. at the Frontier Airlines Center, Milwaukee, with registration and exhibits. Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) has hosted this event for 15 years with sponsorship from various business and education organizations.
Dan Clancy, president of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), will participate in a panel discussion on how to address the shortage of skilled workers through collaboration between industry, educators and the government. Technical colleges are working with manufacturers to develop specific training programs tailored to their workforce needs.
Peter Thillman, vice president, Workforce and Economic Development for Lakeshore Technical College, will describe how manufacturers, educators and government officials together developed a program offering students high school and college credit in courses such as manufacturing, machine tool and computer numerical control (CNC). This collaboration streamlines education and prepares graduates for jobs in a shorter period of time.
Representatives of Fox Valley Technical College, Gateway Technical College, Moraine Park Technical College, Madison College and Waukesha County Technical College will also be on hand to talk with managers about the colleges’ customized programs as well as specific manufacturing certificates and degree programs. In addition to welders and machinists, technical colleges are educating workers for industrial mechanic, electromechanical technology and many other manufacturing jobs.
The Wisconsin Technical College System includes 16 technical college districts throughout Wisconsin, offering 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.
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