The Wisconsin Technical College System will hold an inaugural Economic Development Symposium April 24 in Wisconsin Rapids. The symposium, "A New Wave of Opportunity: Wisconsin Technical Colleges’ Emerging Role in 21st Century Economic Development," provides college leadership, deans, faculty, and workforce development staff with tools and information to positively affect Wisconsin’s future. As partners in economic development, the WTCS shares a responsibility to create a 21st century workforce equipped for a knowledge and global economy. Business partners, from the entrepreneur to the multi-national corporation, need Wisconsin technical colleges to share responsibility for innovation, business development, technological advances, and international competitiveness.

This one-day event features keynote speakers and provides a forum to share best practices and lessons learned, celebrate progress and brainstorm ideas. Activities will address the challenges and opportunities technical colleges face in this new role. Best practice sessions focus on such themes as partnership, entrepreneurship, regional economic development, emerging technologies, demand-driven training, and workforce development.

The Wisconsin Technical College System Statewide Marketing Consortium is doing brand strategy research to understand the key functional and emotional drivers among our primary target audience. From this research, the Consortium will be able to identify the perspectives middle and high school parents have of the technical colleges. It will also determine exactly how to position the technical colleges in the minds of that audience.

Part of this research includes an internal survey to determine perceptions of all faculty and staff at our colleges. A link to the survey is being sent to you by your marketing department. Please take it so your perspectives are included in the internal research.

On March 13, 2007 the Legislative Audit Bureau released its evaluation of technical college personnel policies and procedures. The Bureau evaluated the colleges’ use of sick leave, vacation and sabbaticals, compensation, post-employment benefits, retainer agreements and the use of settlement agreements.

“I was pleased with the Audit Bureau’s findings that districts’ leave reporting systems accurately record reported absences and the districts generally comply with sabbatical and retainer agreement policies and procedures,” said System President Dan Clancy. “The Wisconsin Technical College System will implement the Audit Bureau’s recommendations for improvement in these areas, as well as for reporting district settlement agreements and plans for addressing post-employment benefits,” added Clancy.

The Audit Bureau also noted differences in the earnings of WTCS and UWS full-time faculty and identified the many factors that can influence faculty compensation; including tenure, the employment market, collective bargaining agreements, and the level and type of fringe benefits. President Clancy added, “The responsive career and technical education the technical colleges provide requires faculty with significant industry experience and who are willing to work flexible schedules." The Wisconsin Technical College System Board will discuss the Audit Bureau's findings and recommendations in detail at its next meeting (March 27-28 at Moraine Park Technical College) after board members have had a chance to review the report.

More than half of Wisconsin adults have accessed our technical colleges for education and training over the last decade. More than two million adults, or 51 percent of all individuals 18 or older, took courses at the colleges from 1995 through 2004. It’s nearly impossible to go through a day without encountering a WTCS graduate providing services necessary to everyday life because our graduates are everywhere.