Technical Colleges highlighted in "Wisconsin Invests Now" plan

MADISON – Wisconsin’s technical colleges were recognized as an integral part of the State’s economic stimulus and expansion efforts when details of Wisconsin Invests Now, the Senate Democratic economic development package, were announced this morning.

Highlights of the package include implementation of a $5 million annual Incentive Grants Program for the state’s technical colleges, which will provide skills training and funding for high-demand and emerging occupations. In addition, the plan would increase financial aid for technical college students by $1.3 million, resulting in a 10 percent overall increase when added to new funding included in the 2007-09 Biennial Budget.

"Given the State’s difficult fiscal position, it is encouraging to see broad agreement that Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges will continue to lead the way in helping Wisconsin businesses expand or emerge within the new innovation economy," Wisconsin Technical College System Board President Mary Quinnette Cuene said.

A recent study by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance found that technical colleges generate billions of dollars in economic output each year. "The Wisconsin Invests Now proposal will not only expand educational opportunities, it will enable more individuals to access those opportunities," added Cuene. WTCS students currently have the greatest unmet financial need of all Wisconsin’s postsecondary students.

Wisconsin Technical College System President Dan Clancy added that new funds will allow the technical colleges to meet immediate unmet needs for skilled workers identified by industries across the state. "All of our colleges work closely with industry partners to identify needs in high-demand or emerging occupations, such as advanced manufacturing and renewable energy," Clancy stated. "A critical need for welders and high-skilled manufacturing technicians exists in every region of the state, while other emerging needs—such as those in robotics, advanced manufacturing, health care and information technology—will immediately benefit employers in specific regional areas,” said Clancy.

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. Find more about educational programs at www.witechcolleges.org.