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For immediate release: June 21, 2012 |
Technical colleges offering change with employer needsMore than 400 programs added and removed in past 7 years MADISON – Each year Wisconsin’s technical colleges add and drop dozens of educational programs in response to the changing workplace environment. The colleges attempt to maximize their flexibility and response time to provide the best possible product to students and employers alike. The balance between programs added and discontinued over the years reflects the evolution in core industry sectors like manufacturing, agriculture and new additions to the state's industrial/economic base, such as biotechnology. For the 2011-12 academic year, the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Board discontinued 34 programs and added 29. In the past seven years, the Board approved 207 programs and discontinued 210. This effort to match program offerings with employer needs contributes to high placement rates for graduates of Wisconsin's technical colleges (The WTCS Graduate Follow Up Report states 88 percent of 2011 graduates were employed within six months of graduation). "Our graduates contribute to the economic recovery in part because of our unique program and curriculum development process. In addition to considering local and regional labor market data and national industry skill standards, every program incorporates input of advisory committees consisting of local employers," said Dan Clancy, president of the WTCS. Advisory committees help establish new programs and recommend changes to existing programs by evaluating on-going curricula and advising on matters relating to industry skills and technology. The committees are a direct communication channel between employers and the colleges. Before programs are approved, colleges must meet criteria established by the WTCS Board to ensure strong market demand, high-quality curriculum and sufficient fiscal resources to deliver the programs. Local technical college district boards initiate program discontinuances. Discontinued programs operate under a three-year suspension window, which allows current students to finish programs but does not admit new students. "The colleges' advisory committees also evaluate programs with low enrollment to understand why they are not performing and what changes need to be made," explains Annette Severson, WTCS associate vice-president for the Office of Instruction. "Sometimes the job skills have changed, demand for graduates has declined or the formal education has been replaced by on-the-job training done by employers." After the three-year suspension, the local college board considers evidence and data presented by the advisory committee and makes the decision to reinstate, discontinue or extend the suspension. The WTCS Board helps guide the process and gives final approval for new programs and discontinuances proposed by the 16 colleges. "Gathering and incorporating market information for the program development process from our state and local stakeholders requires resources and hard work; but it’s worth it," noted Severson. "Ultimately, our goal is to prepare workers with the skills needed in the local economy and the program development process helps make that possible."
About the WTCS: The Wisconsin Technical College System has 16 technical college districts throughout the state, 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. Find more about educational programs at www.witechcolleges.org |