Nicolet College holds career expo for seventh graders

From wjfw.com: “Nicolet College holds career expo for seventh graders” – Rhinelander - You may not like hunting for jobs. And searching for a career is just as hard, but Nicolet College made the process fun for seventh graders today.

Nicolet College held their first Career Expo at the Rhinelander Ice Arena. About 700 seventh graders wandered through the tables.

“It is so important because I think there are so many great professions in our area that people just don’t know about. And especially at that seventh grade age, they’re just learning about careers and really starting to investigate maybe what direction they want to go,” says Teri Phalin, Nicolet Career Coach. The Expo showed off a wide range of careers from around the Northwoods. There were 42 careers showcased, including photographers, lawyers, EMT’s and many more.

“We have Ponsse who have a really great simulated logging machine. We have Dream Flight. We have PT offices. We have an exercise instructor,” said Teri Phalin.

Even Newswatch12 came out for some of the fun. But it was the students who enjoyed it the most.

“Students are loving this! Every student, I just said, has been walking past me with a huge smile on their face. They’re getting some really great information but they’re having fun while they’re doing it as well.”

Nicolet College Career Coach Teri Phalin said the Expo was a success and hopes to do it again next year.

Nicolet upgrades workforce training to boost economic development

From starjournalnow.com: “Nicolet upgrades workforce training to boost economic development” – The economic recession of 2008 and 2009 caused a seismic shift in the American landscape. Perseverance, adaptation and resilience were all key to make it through the economic downturn.

“It was a time of dramatic change that happened relatively quickly,” said Nicolet College President Elizabeth Burmaster. “With everything that was happening in the economy, we knew at Nicolet that we were going to have to change how we approached workforce skills training as well.”

The recession deepened and enrollment at Nicolet surged to record levels as the unemployed sought job training for new careers. Employers realized existing employees needed higher skill sets for companies to be efficient and profitable.

“More was being expected of employees and we had to adapt to that in the type of workforce training we provided,” said Sandy Bishop, director of Workforce Development at Nicolet. “Technical skills have always been important and always will be. But along with solid technical skills, we were seeing more demand for employees with what some call soft skills. Knowing how to effectively work as a team, solving problems independently and quickly, communicating effectively, resolving conflict and adapting to change are all skills that many businesses require in their employees.”

Nicolet adapted by placing greater emphasis on these skills in classroom curricula, not only in credit classes, but also the whole complement of short-term, non-credit workforce development workshops that Bishop oversees.

“Employers have raised the bar on what they expect from their workforce,” Bishop explained. “In many ways, it’s like instilling the mindset that every employee is personally responsible for the success of the business. Everyone has to work together responsibly and effectively to be successful.”

Bishop stressed that teaching the latest technical skills is still at the core of what is taught in classes and workshops, and adding this extra level of soft skills was largely driven by what the college was hearing from area employers.

“Nicolet puts a strong emphasis on working in close partnership with area employers and this change is a great example of the effectiveness of these relationships and how the college can adapt to changing needs,” she said.

The numbers show that employers like the training Nicolet offers. Last year, 105 Northwoods employers contracted with the college to provide workforce development training, sending nearly 3,000 registrants to dozens of different workshops, classes and certification seminars.

Entrepreneurship and business development

Another recession-driven growth area for Nicolet has been in the areas of helping entrepreneurs launch businesses, and assisting existing new and small businesses in growing their operations.

“These two areas are key to lifting the Northwoods out of recession and growing the local economy,” said Michelle Madl-Soehren, Nicolet Business Development coordinator. “Many of the new jobs that are being created are coming from small business.”

To help fuel this growth, Madl-Soehren and others at Nicolet have developed a series of laddered workshops that offer increasing levels of instruction and advice for entrepreneurs looking to start a business and those looking to grow an existing business.

In the past year, Madl-Soehren has held 15 Explore Starting a Business workshops throughout the Northwoods to introduce students to the idea of business ownership.

“Starting and building a successful business is a step-by-step process and all the pieces have to be in place in order for any business to do well,” she explained. “In these workshops, we identify the critical components and then work with individuals to help them bring all the pieces together.”

The workshops–which are offered for free–have been held throughout the Northwoods in many different communities including Tomahawk, Minocqua, Eagle River, Crandon, Lac du Flambeau and Rhinelander. More than 50 people have attended these workshops.

As a follow-up for those wanting more detailed business development information, Nicolet recently launched the new 10-session E-Seed Innovative Entrepreneurship Training Program.

“Instruction covers practical, real-world management and planning tools that include all of the basics of starting a business,” Madl-Soehren said.

Specific topics include determining if business ownership is right for each individual, feasibility testing, business concept development, creating a business plan, bookkeeping and accounting systems, and legal issues facing business owners. Expert guest speakers also share their insights on running a successful business. Today, 10 students are enrolled in the E-Seed series currently offered by Nicolet at the Vilas County Business Incubator in Eagle River.

For more information about workforce and business development training opportunities at Nicolet, contact the college at (715) 365-4493, (800) 544-3039, ext. 4493; TDD (715) 365-4448. More information is also available online at nicoletcollege.edu. Once there, click on the Continuing Education link in the upper right corner of the page.

 

High School Students Take Advantage of Tech College Credits

From wjjq.com: ” High School Students Take Advantage of Tech School Credits” – High School Students here in the Northwoods are increasingly getting jump starts on their college careers.

According to Nicolet College, the fastest growing and popular option is through their transcripted credit classes.

The program has seen enrollment jump 75 percent in the past four years. Currently, 461 area high school juniors and seniors are on track to earn college credits this academic year. The program started in 2009 between Nicolet and Rhinelander and Elcho high schools.

The credits earned count towards both a high school diploma and a college degree. The college-level courses are taught in the participating high schools, and range from business and accounting to welding and automotive technology.

In fact to celebrate this growing trend in the entire state, Governor Scott Walker recently named April 30 Dual Credit Day.

Nicolet College President Elizabeth Burmaster summed it up by saying, “This is a fantastic way for high school students to get a jump start on their college education.” She expects the program to grow in the future as more students take advantage of the opportunity.

Statewide, more than 21,000 high school students take Dual Credit classes through the 16 colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).

Nicolet College offers international study opportunities

From starjournalnow.com: “Nicolet College international study opportunities” – The art of London and the Spanish language and culture of Guatemala will be the focus of two international study opportunities offered by Nicolet College.

During the London Study Tour, Jan. 2 to Jan. 13, 2014, students will visit many of the finest museums and historic sites in and around one of the world’s most culturally-rich cities. The study tour class includes three university transfer liberal arts credits. The cost is $2,718 and includes airfare from Rhinelander, ground travel in London, lodging, breakfasts, entrance to museums and Les Miserables, visits to Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral, and travel insurance.

Museum visits will include the British Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The tour will be led by Nicolet art instructor Bob Kanyusik, who has taught art at Nicolet for 30 years and led the London Study Tour for 15 years.

For more information, contact Teresa Rose at (715) 365-4625, (800) 544-3039, ext. 4625; TDD (715) 365-4558; TDD (715) 365-4448; or by email at trose@nicoletcollege.edu.

The Spanish Study Tour to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, will run Dec. 27, 2013, to Jan. 12, 2014. Participants will immerse themselves in Guatemalan culture and the Spanish language by living with local host families and attending Spanish language classes in the morning, and cultural events and service learning activities in the afternoon.

The four-credit, university transfer language classes cover a broad range of Spanish-speaking proficiency, ranging from no previous experience with the language to those who are approaching conversational fluency. A three-credit service learning class is also available for those who are fluent in Spanish. Students who enroll in service learning will volunteer with the Chico Mendes Reforestation Project, which was initiated in 1998 to contribute to the reforestation of the largely deforested Guatemalan Western Highland Mountains. Activities may include collecting and planting seeds, mixing soil, tilling the ground or other reforestation-related efforts.

The cost for the language class option is $2,690.60. The service learning option is $2,518.95. This includes airfare from Wausau, ground transportation while in Guatemala, accommodations with a Guatemalan family that include a private bedroom, meals, event fees, guided travel excursions, Internet access and travel insurance.

For more information, contact Nicolet Spanish instructor Ocie Kilgus at (715) 365-4540, (800) 544-3039, ext. 4540; TDD (715) 365-4558 or 711 (relay); or by email at okilgus@nicoletcollege.edu.

Information sessions will also be held on the following dates:
• Guatemala: Tuesday, April 9, 11:30 a.m. to noon, University Transfer Center, third floor.
• London: Tuesday, April 2, noon to 12:30 p.m., and 4 to 4:30 p.m., Tamarack Center 213.
• London: Wednesday, April 3, noon to 12:30 p.m., and 4 to 4:30 p.m., Tamarack Center 213.

Fall semester 2013 financial aid is available for both classes for students who qualify.

To register for either the Guatemala or London study tour, contact Teresa Rose at (715) 365-4625, 1-800-544-3039, ext. 4625; TDD (715) 365-4558 or 711 (relay); or by email at trose@nicoletcollege.edu.

Older students welcomed at technical colleges

From rivernewsonline.com: “Nicolet College hosts ‘Return to Learning’ event” – On Thursday night, Nicolet College held “Returning to Learning” an event designed to give adults and others returning to school after being out of school for any period of time all the information they need in order to enroll at Nicolet.

“It’s a great event because they can come to one place and talk to everybody. They can talk to someone about financial aid, career assessment and find out about all the other services we have going on here,” said Nancy Burns, placement specialist and career coach at Nicolet.

This is the fourth “Returning to Learning” event Nicolet College has held since beginning the program two years ago. Nicolet holds the event in the spring and in the fall.

“We try to tailor the event for people who are coming back to school after being out of school for a while,” said Sandy Kinney, executive director of communications and college and community initiatives. “All of the research and studies on people going back is that adult returning learners have different learning concerns than people coming out of high school, so we wanted to do an event that would address what their concerns are and what their needs are.”

Where similar events for high school students are highly structured with presentations and tours, “Returning to Learning” is a drop-in event designed to accommodate the busy schedules of those looking to go back to school.

“Adults are busy. They’re squeezing this in between things, and they need to be able to just come in, get the answers to the questions they need, skip the things they don’t need, and be able to leave again,” said Kinney. “So we set it up in this open time format so people could drop in at the end of the day, after work or after dinner, whatever works for them.”

Kinney said visitors to the event have usually put a lot of thought into going back to school, but they need more answers and information before deciding to enroll. Additionally, the event is a steppingstone for potential students. It begins a dialogue between students and the college, allowing the Nicolet staff to guide the individual through the admission and enrollment process, answering any questions along the way.

“We see people that are serious about coming back to school,” said Kinney. “Research will show that adults typically will take two to three years from the time they start thinking about going back to school to when they actually do it. So we see people at different stages in that process. Some that are just kind of playing with the idea, wondering, ‘What do you have at Nicolet, I know I’m not moving somewhere to go to school…so what do you have?’ and we have that, all the way to people who walk in the door and say, ‘I know exactly what I want. I want to enroll in this program, and can I start this summer?’ So there’s a whole range.”

A variety of Nicolet staff members, including deans, instructors, career coaches and academic advisors, as well as faculty members to help with financial aid and admission questions, were on hand to meet the needs of any individual who stopped in.

Several academic advisors were available to answer questions about coursework, credits and transfer options. The advisors also were able to tell students if they qualified to receive credits for prior learning or work experiences.

Tom Raykovich, a transitions counselor at Nicolet, was available to help answer any enrollment questions potential students might have. Raykovich, who runs the assessment center at Nicolet, said he helps students prepare for placement testing in order to make sure they enroll in classes that match their abilities.

“We take students no matter where their skills are, and we get them where they need to be,” said Raykovich.

This differs from the UW System, where a certain ACT score is usually required for enrollment consideration.

“We test, but just to find out where the skills are, and then we figure out where to place them. It’s an open-door policy,” said Raykovich.

Financial Aid Director Jill Price answered questions students had about financial aid, and gave them advice on how they could pay for college.

“Most of our students, without financial aid, wouldn’t be able to afford college,” she said.”We talk about the options they have and give them information.”

Price stressed to potential students the importance of filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which allows students to be eligible for federal grants and loans. She said students often think they won’t qualify for FAFSA loans and grants, but she always tells them that, “They won’t know until they try.”

Kinney said many of the community members who attend this event eventually attend Nicolet .

“What we do see is that out of people who come to this event, a very high percentage end up enrolling,” she said.

Dean of Trade and Industry Brigitte Parsons said the event is about helping potential students find the answers to all of their questions about college enrollment.

“This is a place where they can come and explore, ask questions, find out, ‘How much money will I make if I major in welding or if I major in nursing?’ or ‘How quickly can I transfer to a university?’ so there’s a lot of questions we can answer on a night like this,” she said.

Nicolet partnerships with PK-12 districts mean student success

From starjournalnow.com: “Nicolet partnerships with PK-12 districts mean student success” – Every year about 2,000 students take credit classes at Nicolet College. But just as many area elementary, middle and high school students also participate annually in Nicolet activities created just for them.

Earning college credits while in high school, exploring a wide variety of careers, sharpening academic skills, taking in educational theater events and learning about college life in general are just some of the activities.

Key to making these successful has been the strong relationship Nicolet College has built with the eleven PK-12 school districts in the Nicolet College District, said Nicolet College President Elizabeth Burmaster.

“The focus of these partnerships is to prepare students for college so they can get the skills necessary to be successful in their careers,” Burmaster said. “By working together, we’ve been able to smooth the pathway to higher education and make it easier for students to make the transition to college.”

Lakeland Union High School Superintendent Todd Kleinhans said it’s been exciting to see how the partnership between the high school and Nicolet has grown in recent years.

“The partnership today is stronger than ever,” Kleinhans told the Nicolet College Board of Trustees during a meeting the board recently held in Minocqua. “Both the high school and the college have a shared vision that places a strong emphasis on getting students college-ready and career-ready. We are thrilled at how well this partnership has been working and we look forward to making it even stronger in the future.”

In all, Nicolet has in place nearly two dozen different programs, activities and services with all of the school districts within the Nicolet District.

These include:

College in the High School Classroom
Hundreds of Northwoods high school students earn college credits every year without ever leaving their school.

“This gives them a great jump-start on college,” Burmaster said. “By earning college credits while still in high school, they shorten the amount of time they actually spend in college which can translate into a fairly significant cost savings.”

Every year, about 200 high school students earn both high school and Nicolet College credits through the College in the Classroom program. These classes are taught by college-certified instructors in the high schools and include a wide range of academic subjects.

Nicolet also offers a Youth Options program, where high school students take college classes on the Nicolet campus. Currently, 62 high school students are attending Nicolet classes through the Youth Options program.

In the Lakeland and Tomahawk high schools, Nicolet offers Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) classes. So far, more than 50 students have received this professional certification through Nicolet classes held at these locations. This coming fall, Nicolet CNA classes will also be taught at Rhinelander High School.

PreCollege Academies
For the past two years, Nicolet has held PreCollege Academies for high school freshmen and sophomores. Each academy met for five consecutive Saturdays and gave students the opportunity to explore careers and sharpen academic skills in environmental science, engineering and health occupations. To date, more than 100 students from throughout the Northwoods have participated in PreCollege Academies.

Heavy Metal Tour
This past October, about 350 8th grade students converged on the Nicolet campus for the Heavy Metal Tour. The day-long event gave students the opportunity to explore careers in manufacturing and the trades. During the day, students toured six area manufacturing plants, Nicolet labs and classrooms and attended presentations in the Nicolet Theatre to hear from manufacturing professionals about careers in the field. The event will be held again in 2013.

College Camp
This perennial favorite gives Northwoods 6th through 9th graders the chance to explore numerous different careers in fun, hands-on classes held afternoons for one week in the summer.

Examples of classes have included Lake Ecology, Solar Sprint, Sports Engineering, Crime Scene Investigation, Middle School Marketplace, Joining the Geek Squad Can Be Cool, and Rock and Roll 101. The next College Camp will be held in August.

Lego Camp
Engineering, problem-solving and communication skills are the focus of Lego Camp at Nicolet, held during the summer for first through sixth graders. The half-day, week-long event has students building a variety of creations using specially designed Lego kits complete with electric motors. Lego Camp will be held again this coming summer.

The Amazing Race
This past fall, 50 6th through 8th graders from North Lakeland School participated in the Amazing Race on the Nicolet campus. The event had students darting between Nicolet labs and classrooms, answering questions about careers and college at each location.

Campus tours and visits
Numerous times throughout the year, the college invites students to campus to learn what the college has to offer and to give them an overall feel for Nicolet.

Welding, auto tech and carpentry competitions
Every year, dozens of high school students exploring careers in the trades converge on the Nicolet campus to test their abilities in friendly competitions.
Along with fine-tuning their skills, “students also learn what it takes to be successful in these fields and what kind of training they will need,” said Teri Phalin, PK-16 coordinator and career coach at Nicolet. “They see that it takes solid math skills, good communication skills, plus they have to know how to work as a team and solve problems.”

Nicolet College expands welding program

From wjfw.com: “Nicolet College expands welding program” – Rhinelander – Hearing about jobs on the rise can be comforting.

A program expansion at Nicolet College in Rhinelander highlights one of those growing job markets.

They’re expanding their welding program to bring in more students and meet the needs of a growing workforce.

“The need for welders, not only in our district here, but nationwide, is phenomenal,” said welding instructor Chuck Kopp.
Expanding the welding program at Nicolet College is the result of two grants totaling 1.2 million dollars.

“We have accelerated our series of classes so that we can get our students out into jobs sooner, we have upgraded equipment, and hired some new instructors and we’ve re-vamped the curriculum to better meet employer’s needs,” said Elizabeth Burmaster, President of Nicolet College.

Part of that expansion means going from 17 to 23 work stations.

“What they’ll be able to do with them is the same thing they’re doing here now with the booths that are existing, which is all the different processes,” said Kopp.

Kopp says this one year program is helping students get jobs in the Northwoods.

“So this is a response to our manufacturers, to try to satisfy their need for welders and give them the ability to grow their businesses,” said Kopp. 

 

Nicolet College’s early childhood education program sees enrollment surge

From starjournalnow.com: “Nicolet College’s early childhood education program sees enrollment surge” – Nicolet College’s early childhood education program has enjoyed an enrollment boom in recent years thanks, in part, to greater opportunity for students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a desire by child care providers to have a more highly skilled workforce.

That’s according to Diana Rickert, early childhood education instructor at Nicolet, who recently gave a presentation to the Nicolet College Board of Trustees about program developments.

“Students like what Nicolet has to offer,” Rickert said. “They see the benefits of attending Nicolet on a number of fronts and that’s what’s driving the enrollment increase.”

Currently, 52 students are in the program and that number is expected to nudge higher in coming weeks as new applicants work their way through the enrollment process in order to begin classes at the start of the spring semester in January.

One of the biggest drivers of this trend is the close partnership Nicolet has developed with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Thanks to a credit transfer agreement between the two institutions, students can complete roughly the first two years of their bachelor’s degree at Nicolet and then transfer to UW-Stevens Point to complete the degree.

“Students are realizing that they can save thousands of dollars by starting at Nicolet,” she said. “That’s because of Nicolet’s affordable tuition and because they can live at home, which means they don’t have to pay room and board. Combined, this results in a very significant cost savings.”

With bachelor’s degree in hand, graduates are then eligible to receive their Wisconsin teaching license and teach pre-kindergarten through third grade in a public school system.

An added advantage is the increased level of hands-on, practical experience students get in the associate degree program. Nicolet’s early childhood education program has an advisory committee made up of teaching professionals that offers guidance for program development.

“When they look at rèsumès to fill teaching positions, I’ve heard time and again that applicants who first earn an associate degree rise to the top of the pile,” Rickert said. “The added level of hands-on teaching experience they get with an associate degree on top of what they get with a bachelor’s degree is highly valued by school districts.”

Another factor contributing to the enrollment increase is the state of Wisconsin’s YoungStar program. Launched in 2011, YoungStar ranks licensed child care providers on a scale of one to five, with five being the best rating. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families then make the ratings public to help parents make child care decisions.

“More than a third of the possible points a program can earn are based upon the educational qualifications of the staff,” Rickert said. “Because of this, we are seeing more people who are currently working in child care enrolling in Nicolet classes. They are learning additional skills that ultimately benefit the children they teach and care for, and also help their employer receive a higher YoungStar rating.”

In recent years, Nicolet has also added a high degree of flexibility to the program, offering classes in the evening, on weekends, over an interactive television network, in an accelerated format, and on-site in the Lac du Flambeau tribal community.

“Everybody’s life situation is different,” Rickert explained. “By expanding the options students have to take classes, we’re making it easier for students to fit college into what are already busy lives.”

 

Nicolet College offers study programs in London, Guatemala

From starjournalnow.com: “Nicolet College international study in London and Guatemala” – The art of London and the Spanish language and culture of Guatemala will be the focus of two international study opportunities Nicolet College is offering in January.

During the London Study Tour Jan. 2 to Jan. 13, students will visit many of the finest museums and historic sites in and around one of the world’s most culturally-rich cities. The study tour class includes three University Transfer art credits. The cost is $2,562.75 and includes tuition, airfare from Rhinelander, ground travel, lodging, breakfasts, entrance to museums and Les Miserables, visits to Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral, and travel insurance.

Museum visits will include the British Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The tour will be led by Nicolet art instructor Bob Kanyusik, who has taught art at Nicolet for 30 years and led the London Study Tour for 14 years.

The Spanish Study Tour to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, will run Dec. 28 to Jan. 13. Participants will immerse themselves in Guatemalan culture and the Spanish language by living with local host families and attending Spanish language classes in the morning, and cultural events and service learning activities in the afternoon.

The four-credit, University Transfer language classes cover a broad range of Spanish-speaking proficiency, ranging from no previous experience with the language to those who are approaching conversational fluency. A three-credit service learning class is also available for those who are fluent in Spanish. Possible service learning projects include art and cultural outreach, education, eco-tourism, public health, construction and human rights.

Cost for the language class option is $2,402. The service learning class cost is $2,237.75. This includes tuition, airfare from Wausau, ground transportation, accommodations with a Guatemalan family that include a private bedroom, meals, event fees, guided travel excursions, Internet access and travel insurance.

For more information, contact Nicolet Spanish instructor Ocie Kilgus at (715) 365-4540, (800) 544-3039, ext. 4540; TDD (715) 365-4558 or 711 (relay); or by email at okilgus@nicoletcollege.edu.

Financial aid is available for both classes for students who qualify.

To register for either the Guatemala or London study tour, or for more information, contact Teresa Rose at (715) 365-4625, (800) 544-3039, ext. 4625; TDD (715) 365-4558 or 711 (relay); or by email at trose@nicoletcollege.edu.

Nicolet’s dumpster diving dean proves a point about trash

From wjfw.com: “Dumpster diving dean at Nicolet proves a point about trash” – RHINELANDER – The “Green Dean” at Nicolet College is serious about recycling, and she’s not afraid to get a little dirty to prove a point.

Today Brigitte Parsons, the Dean of Trade and Industry at the college donned a hazmat suit, and jumped into one of the schools dumpsters. She was a little disappointed at what she found…

“This is a brand new pad of paper! I can’t believe that! That’s unfortunate.”

It should have been recycled, but instead it ended up in the trash.

“This is not a finger pointing game, really,” she said, “We’re just trying to raise awareness that’s it’s just as simple as making a decision between throwing an item in the trash can, or in the recycling bin.”

At Nicolet college, it really is that simple. They’ve gone to a single-stream recycling program that makes it easy to be green.

“You can throw everything in the same bin, doesn’t matter if it’s glass, plastic, paper, everything all goes together, and then they take it away and they can separate it out,” said Leanne Vigue Miranda, a sustainability leader on campus.

Still the “Green Dean”, is a dumpster diving machine… And she’s finding plenty of trash in the dumpster that shouldn’t be.

“I’m standing on probably 10-15%, maybe a little bit more of items that definitely can be recycled,” she said.

“If materials are recyclable, you have to recycle them. That’s the law, basically,” said Miranda.

Parsons adds, “Whether you agree with recycling scientifically or not it’s about trying to save what we have going into the landfills, because we don’t have an infinite space in landfills for all of this stuff.”

By exposing this dirty truth the “Green Dean” hopes students will wake up, smell the trash, and make a greener choice.

Nicolet wins grant to start manufacturing program

From wjfw.com: “Nicolet wins grant to start manufacturing program” – Rhinelander – Thanks to a $750,000 grant, Nicolet College will have a new manufacturing skills training program this fall.

Nicolet got the largest share of a $3.8 million grant awarded by The Wisconsin Covenant Foundation awarded $3.8 million to five colleges.

Area businesses worked with the college to win the grant, and they’ll continue to help with the development of the new program. “We bring in people who actually do the work every day that this program is designed to produce graduates for,” said Kenneth Urban, vice president of student and academic affairs. “We ask those people what they do every day during their day-to-day work. We then take that information and use it to design the courses and the outcomes that graduates will master.”

Those workers will come from the manufacturing companies that helped win the grant: Dr. Foster & Smith, Inc., HyPro, Inc., Packaging Corporation of America-Tomahawk Mill, Printpack, Inc., and Wausau Paper Corporation-Rhinelander Mill.

The companies are providing in-kind donations in the form of employee tuition reimbursement and equipment.

Their commitment shows how important the program is to the Northwoods.

“What’s critically important about this program and what it will bring is the graduates will be the people that actually repair, maintain troubleshoot the equipment that keeps the plants running,” Urban said.

The program starts this fall and has room for 20 students.

It’s a ladder system, which means students start with a certificate, then earn their one-year technical diploma and two-year associate’s degree.

 

Federal Reserve praises Nicolet College/Lac du Flambeau partnership

From nicoletcollege.edu: “Federal Reserve cites Nicolet College/Lac du Flambeau partnership as positive example of workforce development” – It’s not too often the Federal Reserve takes note of what is happening in rural northern Wisconsin.

But the agency that sets monetary policy for the country did just that recently by publishing a story on Native American economic development efforts that cited the successful partnership between Nicolet College and the Lac du Flambeau tribe.

A major initiative of the college and tribe in recent years has been to increase the number of tribal members who hold bachelor’s degrees. To accomplish this, the college established a dedicated classroom in Lac du Flambeau to teach University Transfer Liberal Arts classes, among others.

“For this northern Wisconsin tribe, bringing the community college to the students, rather than having the students drive to the college, is turning out to be quite an effective workforce development strategy,” wrote Jacob Wascalus in the July issue of Community Dividend, published by The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

He continued: “The Nicolet College-Lac du Flambeau partnership provides community members with a convenient opportunity to take classes on a range of subjects, such as business management and natural resources, that are fundamental to careers with tribal employers and area businesses.

The goal of the partnership is to increase the overall educational attainment of tribal community members—first by establishing a curriculum for them to earn an associate’s degree from Nicolet College and then by facilitating their transfer to a traditional, four-year institution, such as a college within the University of Wisconsin System. Currently, approximately 7 percent of Lac du Flambeau Reservation residents have bachelor’s degrees. The tribe would like to see that number increase to 10 percent through this program.”

The article also quoted Rachelle Ashley, Nicolet’s director of Multicultural Services.

“Because we’re a small college, we’re able to adapt to the changing needs of students and regional job providers,” Ashley explained. “We’re doing a range of classes in response to the workforce demands of tribal employers.”

 

Nicolet wins grant to start manufacturing program

From wjfw.com: “Nicolet wins grant to start manufacturing program” – Rhinelander – Thanks to a $750,000 grant, Nicolet College will have a new manufacturing skills training program this fall.

Nicolet got the largest share of a $3.8 million grant awarded by The Wisconsin Covenant Foundation awarded $3.8 million to five colleges.

Area businesses worked with the college to win the grant, and they’ll continue to help with the development of the new program. “We bring in people who actually do the work every day that this program is designed to produce graduates for,” said Kenneth Urban, vice president of student and academic affairs. “We ask those people what they do every day during their day-to-day work. We then take that information and use it to design the courses and the outcomes that graduates will master.”

Those workers will come from the manufacturing companies that helped win the grant: Dr. Foster & Smith, Inc., HyPro, Inc., Packaging Corporation of America-Tomahawk Mill, Printpack, Inc., and Wausau Paper Corporation-Rhinelander Mill.

The companies are providing in-kind donations in the form of employee tuition reimbursement and equipment.

Their commitment shows how important the program is to the Northwoods.

“What’s critically important about this program and what it will bring is the graduates will be the people that actually repair, maintain troubleshoot the equipment that keeps the plants running,” Urban said.

The program starts this fall and has room for 20 students.

It’s a ladder system, which means students start with a certificate, then earn their one-year technical diploma and two-year associate’s degree.  

Nicolet gets $750,000 to develop manufacturing maintenance program

From starjournalnow.com: “Nicolet gets $750,000 to develop manufacturing maintenance program” – Manufacturing skills training will get a huge boost in the Northwoods thanks to a $750,000 grant awarded to Nicolet College. The grant will allow the college to further develop the specific training necessary to help fill available jobs at partner businesses with advanced manufacturing needs.

“A healthy manufacturing sector is key to a strong Northwoods economy,” said Nicolet College President Elizabeth Burmaster. “Nicolet will use these funds to develop training programs that will give residents the skills necessary to secure manufacturing maintenance jobs. In doing so, manufacturers will get the trained workforce they need to be successful and area residents will have the skills they need for family-sustaining employment.”

Nicolet has already developed classes for a short-term training Industrial Maintenance Fundamentals certificate. The grant funds will allow the college to build on this certificate and develop more advanced training that will result in a one-year technical diploma and ultimately a two-year manufacturing maintenance associate degree.

Burmaster encouraged anyone interested in starting down this academic track to begin taking the certificate-level classes this fall. “The sequence will be structured so that certificate classes ladder right into the diploma program and the diploma-level classes then laddering directly into the two-year associate degree program,” she explained.

Nicolet applied for these grant funds and did so in partnership with five large area manufacturers. They are Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc., HyPro, Inc., Packaging Corporation of America-Tomahawk Mill, Printpack, Inc., and the Wausau Paper Corporation-Rhinelander Mill.

“Every one of these manufacturers worked with the college on this because they need skilled employees,” Burmaster added. “The jobs are out there.”

Under the partnership, the manufacturers will work closely with Nicolet to ensure the skills taught in the college’s labs and classrooms are an exact match to what are needed in the workplace.

A recent wage survey by the Grow North Regional Economic Development Corporation found that manufacturing maintenance jobs in the Northwoods today pay an average of about $35,000 a year.

Nicolet was one of the five technical colleges in the state to share in the $3.8 million awarded by the Wisconsin Covenant Foundation, a private, non-profit organization. The foundation created this pilot grant to address the gap between Wisconsin’s workforce needs and its available workers. Currently, “middle-skill” occupations, or those positions that require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree, represent 50 percent of Wisconsin’s workforce needs, with advanced manufacturing occupations among the fastest growing. Meanwhile, only 39 percent of Wisconsin residents between the ages of 25 and 64 meet these education criteria.

“The Wisconsin Covenant Foundation is committed to ensuring that postsecondary education prepares students for immediate employment, while creating a stronger connection between that education and employers,” said Foundation Chair Richard D. George. “When capacity to provide the right skillset to workers is increased at the technical college level, the result is more well-trained workers prepared for on-the-job success. It’s a win-win for Wisconsin—our families and our workforce.”

For more information about Nicolet’s Industrial Maintenance Fundamentals certificate, call the Nicolet Welcome Center at (715) 365-4493 or (800) 544-3039, ext. 4493, or visit nicoletcollege.edu.

Column: Today’s manufacturing requires skilled workers

From wisconsinrapidstribune.com: “Today’s manufacturing requires skilled workers” — By Bruce Trimble, Employer Services Director at the north Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board - Recent news articles around the state are pointing out some of the issues and causes for the current skills gap or workforce paradox.

There are the obvious reasons — not enough trained or skilled workers to fill the ranks of those retiring, increased orders and applicants with little or no training for the available positions. On recent employer visits, I have had some employers tell me their concerns about filling positions such as machinists or CNC operators and the impact this is having on their business.

Why do we have this situation? If you are a parent, perhaps the answer is to simply look in the mirror. I, too, am guilty as I encouraged my own child to attain a four-year degree without even considering a career in manufacturing. And, why did I do that? Misconceptions about what today’s manufacturing is all about (repetitive work, dirty conditions, etc.) and the theory that a four-year college degree guaranteed a higher wage. Also, I was repeating exactly what my own parents had encouraged me to do.

Today’s manufacturing jobs require computer skills beyond basics, technical skills and all critical thinking. Very few are the old vision of repetitive work and standing in one place for eight hours. The majority are in showroom-clean environments, requiring multiple skill sets and less and less repetition.

The North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, or NCWWDB, is engaged in preliminary discussions with Grow North Regional Economic Development Corp., Nicolet Area Technical College and Northcentral Technical College to help change these misconceptions.

From getting parents and students at the junior high level into factories to see firsthand what is required and performed on a day-to-day basis, to getting more manufacturing awareness into classroom activities is our primary focus. The Grow North region encompasses 14 school districts, making this a bit of a logistical challenge.

October has been declared Manufacturing Month by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, and we will focus efforts in that month but maintain the efforts year-round.

NCWWDB’s short-term training programs are helping to alleviate the immediate needs, but like those employers mentioned in the beginning of this article, we need to look to the future as manufacturing continues to drive Wisconsin’s economy.

Nicolet College Culinary Arts student wins national recipe contest

From nicoletcollege.edu: “Nicolet College Culinary Arts student wins national recipe contest, week-long trip to Italy” – How does spending a week in Italy on an all-expenses-paid culinary arts tour sound? Nicolet College student Stephanie Kaether will get to do just that this summer for being the grand prize winner in a national culinary competition sponsored by Johnsonville Sausage.

Her recipe for A Match Made in Heaven Manicotti was selected as the best from the hundreds of entries in Johnsonville’s Italian Inspiration recipe contest.

On top of the all-expenses-paid trip, Kaether will also get a $10,000 travel voucher, courtesy of Johnsonville Sausage, to spend as she likes during her travels.

Kaether, a Culinary Arts student at Nicolet, was driving home after a long day of classes when she got the phone call announcing the news.

“I couldn’t believe it. I had to pull over. I started crying. It was that awesome!” she said.

This summer she’ll redeem the grand prize and jet off to the Abruzzo region of Italy where she and a guest will immerse themselves in all things culinary.

This will include organized excursions such as A Chef’s Tour of Carunchio with a Pastry Workshop; a Dining the Abruzzese Way Gourmet Dinner; three hands-on cooking classes and workshops; a tour of an olive oil factory, and a visit to a fishing village where they will prepare the catch of the day.

A huge fan of Italian cooking, Kaether, from Rhinelander, submitted multiple recipes and photos of each of her creations to the contest, which centered around the use of Johnsonville Italian sausage in each dish.

Judges then reviewed the entries and whittled the submissions down to five finalists.

Remarkably, she had two of her dishes make the final five. It was the first time in the history of the contest that one individual had two entries make it to the finals, according to the judges.

“Even if I hadn’t won – and I really didn’t think I was going to – I would have been thrilled just to have two entries in the finals,” she said.

But win she did.

“Stephanie’s recipe for A Match Made in Manicotti Heaven is a great example of her impressive culinary skills – it not only tastes great and features a nice balance of flavors, it is also visually appealing,” said Bob Fitzgerald, Johnsonville Sausage brand manager.

In addition to the trip and $10,000, she also received a sizable gift basket from Johnsonville.

“I don’t think I’m ever going to need to buy Parmesan cheese again,” she said.

Nicolet College event shows need for skilled workers

From rhinelanderdailynews.com: “Nicolet College seminar shows need for skilled workers” – With the November election paradoxically both approaching quickly and dragging its feet in getting here, candidates from both parties have essentially rutted themselves into the same mundane rhetoric.

Listen to either side, and all you’ll hear is, “jobs, jobs, jobs, boo my opponent, jobs, jobs, possible war, jobs.”

But according to Jim Morgan, president of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) Foundation, the problem isn’t a lack of jobs, but instead a lack of skilled, qualified workers ready and willing to take the positions available.

That was the main point of Morgan’s message Thursday during a seminar at Nicolet College that involved a highly varied audience – SDR Superintendent Roger Erdahl, NCSS Administrator Teri Phalin, UW-Superior outreach specialist and academic advisor Dan Kuzlik, Nicolet Board of Trustees president and local business leader Ron Zimmerman, along with other local business and educational leaders.

Morgan started out by explaining his views on what he calls the “workforce paradox.”

Morgan pointed out that while there still is 7 percent unemployment, many manufacturing businesses cannot find workers qualified to fill the positions available.

This is a big problem for Wisconsin, according to Morgan, because manufacturing makes up such a large part of the state’s economy, especially in the Northwoods.

His solution? A multi-tiered approach at getting children interested and knowledgeable about the opportunities in the manufacturing field, while then providing them with the opportunities needed to gain the skills required in manufacturing.

Morgan said the biggest problem facing Wisconsin manufacturers today is the misconception that students need to end up getting a four-year degree in order to be successful in the world.

Because of this misconception, many students don’t even fathom going to a technical college to continue their education, and therefore, there is a serious lack of workers educated in the skills needed for many manufacturing jobs.

One of Morgan’s more interesting statistics was that about 70 percent of the jobs available require more than a high school diploma, but don’t necessarily require a four-year degree.

So while students are being indoctrinated by tradition that they need to go to a four-year college to be successful, a vast multitude of jobs are unfilled due to a lack of skilled laborers, Morgan said.

So we know what needs to be done – we need to get students knowledgeable about the manufacturing field and the opportunities presented by the state’s technical colleges – but how do we go about doing it?

According to Morgan, it’s a simple as communication.

Morgan and the WMC Foundation are calling for more open and honest communication with students starting as early as middle school.

If manufacturers can get students knowledgeable and interested in that line of work – by visiting schools, inviting students on tours of factories, and getting accurate information out about what a manufacturing employee truly does and what kind of salarly they can expect – more students will consider a career in manufacturing instead of just believing the old stereotype that a factory worker is a poor, dirty, uneducated individual, according to Morgan.

And it’s not just the students that manufacturers need to communicate better with, but teachers as well, Morgan said.

Morgan points out that teachers, through no fault of their own, often encourage children to strive for a four-year degree because that is seen as the norm for being successful and, frankly, that’s what a teacher’s job is — to make local students successful.

Morgan said the problem is that many teachers believe the same stereotypes about factory workers as students and parents tend to believe.

Manufacturers need to work with teachers to show them that the field is growing, technology is advancing at an extremely fast rate, and skilled and knowledgeable individuals need to be able to take up the mantle after an aging workforce retires, according to Morgan.

But in the end, Morgan said, it’s simply about throwing away the old factory worker stereotypes and educating students, teachers, and parents alike about the how the manufacturing industry is growing and advancing and is ready to offer solid, good-paying jobs to those individuals with the skills needed to operate some serious equipment.

Tech colleges prepare students for manufacturing jobs

From wjfw.com: “Manufacturers Looking To Hire, Local Technical Colleges Hope To Prepare Students” —  Rhinelander – If you’re out of work, it’s tough finding a job.

A job search is a job in itself.

However, business leaders say one type of company is hiring – manufacturers.

The problem is many companies can’t find qualified workers to fill the jobs. The Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Foundation is hosting listening sessions at local technical colleges throughout Wisconsin.

The foundation is hoping to spread the word about exciting careers in manufacturing across Wisconsin.

“In my job hunts I kept seeing welding, welding, welding,” Nicolet student David Hansen says. “So I said ‘hey, I’m going to school for welding.”

Hansen just completed Nicolet College’s Welding program. He wants to find a job with the chance to move up.

“Start off with welding,” Hansen says. “It’s got a great starting wage compared to other jobs. From the sounds of it, in talking with other people who are further along in their career you can move up fairly quickly in welding.”

Jim Morgan is the president of the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce foundation. He’s encouraged by comments like Hansen’s.

“A lot of those offerings are right here at the technical colleges,” Morgan says. “I think we really owe it to those 16-year-olds to make sure they understand all of the occupations that are available so if they want to be a welder, be a CNC operator. First of all they have to know those occupations exist, and secondly they need to know where to go to get those skills.”

Morgan says there’s a level of ignorance when it comes to manufacturing.

“We haven’t told the story very well,” Morgan explains. “Unless we actually get people in there to see whats going on, they have a vision of manufacturing that’s probably 40 or 45 years old. These are high-tech companies, they’re clean, well lit, they’re good jobs, they’re exciting, you do different things everyday”

That’s why Warren Krause’s welding class at Nicolet teaches students more than just welding skills.

“In industry now-a-days, they’re looking for people with soft skills,” Krause says. “Being able to just weld in this day and age isn’t good enough. They want people to be able to communicate with customers. Be able to learn new technology, be able to take on tasks.”

And Morgan agrees many manufacturers are optimistic about future growth.

“This generation more than any other is the expectation is the whole package. You’ve got to have the work ethic, you’ve got to be able to communicate with people, you have to have the technical skill, you really have to have everything.”

Thanks to his training, Hansen says he’s confident he has it.

“I’m very confident I’m going to get a job. It’s going to happen.”  

Column: Skills gap slowly closes with training programs

From wisconsinrapidstribune.com: “Column: Skills gap slowly closes with training program” – Much is being written about, talked about and even campaigned about regarding the “skills gap.” What is it, how did it occur and what is the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, or NCWWDB, doing to address this issue?

The skills gap is occurring in our Workforce Development Area 6, or WDA, in three sectors.

Manufacturing is the sector garnering the most publicity. In a nutshell, manufacturers in our area have many openings for skilled positions and yet the majority of those looking for work do not possess the skills needed. Welders and machine tool operators are at the forefront of this demand right now.

How did this disparity occur? For a long time in our WDA, we had many family-supporting positions available in our area. There were nearly as many jobs for people of all skill levels as available workers. These jobs were thought of as lifelong opportunities, and many indeed were.

At the same time, parents (myself included), encouraged our children to attend college and never gave a thought to the good-paying careers available in manufacturing. Some parents’ trepidation was based on a conception that manufacturing involved dirty conditions, hot environments and monotonous work, none of which are the norm today. From climate-controlled shops, state-of-the-art robotics and computer-controlled machines, our area’s manufacturing facilities look more like show rooms. And jobs in these skilled areas provide solid, family-supporting wages.

NCWWDB offers training programs and support to the workforce we serve. At the front of the list are the short-term training programs in machine tool and welding we are sponsoring with one of our partners, Northcentral Technical College, or NTC, in Wausau. NTC shortened a curriculum to 20 weeks, and we are running our third sessions of both programs, which are geared primarily for workers recently dislocated.

At the end of each of these short-term programs, NCWWDB facilitates a roundtable with local manufacturing employers allowing the graduating students an opportunity to display their work samples and talk with the employers.

We also provide support to dislocated and adult workers in two-year programs to train for both these and other careers. We partnered with Mid-State Technical College in a food science manufacturing program to fill a need in the area’s food industries. We are working with Nicolet Area Technical College to put together another short-term program (similar to one we ran a few years ago) to fill that area’s manufacturing needs. And, we recently began a customized training program within one company where upon successful completion of the training, the graduates will be given full-time positions with benefits.

As I meet with employers from the nine counties we serve, I’m on the lookout for other opportunities as well as just listening to employers. Our workforce partners also are working diligently to help fill these gaps. WDA 6 employers are eager for our participants to complete their programs and for more to enter. Eventually, these gaps will fill, but they took years to develop and will take some time to fill.

For more information about NCWWDB’s Employer Services, call me at 715-422-4706 or email btrimble@ncwwdb.org.

Bruce Trimble is the employer services director at the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board.

Nicolet, Headwaters and local school districts collaborate on ‘soft skills’ class

From rhinelanderdailynews.com: “A step into the future: Nicolet, Headwaters and local school districts collaborate on ‘soft skills’ class – For many college students, a student ID card is little more than a piece of plastic but for the nine students enrolled in Sarah Schirra’s soft skills for employment class at Nicolet Area Technical College in Rhinelander that little green and white card is a symbol of the door that has been opened for them.

The class, specially designed for people with intellectual challenges, began Feb. 1 and has been meeting for an hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Northwoods Center on the Nicolet College campus.

According to Nicolet College President Elizabeth Burmaster, the students enrolled in the pilot program have been learning skills that will help them advance in the workforce.

“The course curriculum will focus on social skills that are needed at college and also on the job. It will focus on conflict resolution, communication skills, character development, all of those things that employers are looking for beyond technical skills,” she said. “The next phase of the curriculum will focus on specific technical skills related to specific jobs and some of the jobs that might be of interest to these individuals would be dietary helper, lawn maintenance (worker), work in the horticulture area, carpentry helper, jobs that are supervised jobs but need specific technical skills as well as these soft skills.”

Nicolet Culinary Arts instructor Kevin Brown was the guest speaker during last Wednesday’s class period. He told the class about the kinds of jobs that are available in the culinary/hospitality industry (such as kitchen assistant) and how to impress potential employers in that field.

He talked about the importance of a firm handshake and said he would never hire anyone to work in his kitchen who showed up looking disheveled. He added many chefs even take note of the cleanliness of a prospective kitchen employee’s fingernails.

Brown discussed at length the importance of communication and teamwork in a professional kitchen setting and how to provide friendly service to customers.

The students, who were selected by participating school districts and range from 17 to 25 years old, were on the edge of their seats throughout Brown’s lecture which concluded with a question and answer session.

Brown answered the students’ pre-submitted questions on everything from how to be safe when handling knives to how to make lasagna.

Brown’s presentation ended with a tour of the kitchen and dining room where the culinary arts students learn their trade. At the end of the tour, several of Schirra’s students appeared to be demonstrating what they had learned by firmly shaking Brown’s hand as he said good-bye.

Schirra, who retired last year after teaching special education classes at Rhinelander High School for 26 years, said she jumped at the chance to teach this groundbreaking class.

“(When I was asked to take this on) I said absolutely because this has always been the step that was missing,” she said. “I was thrilled.”

Schirra said the students’ response to being college students has been nothing short of amazing. She said they treasure their Nicolet student ID cards and are taking their studies very seriously.

“They are great group, they respond so well,” she said. “They are enthusiastic and engaged, and the most important thing is they are capable and I learn that every day I work with them.”

Schirra said she worked with some of the students in the class while they were attending RHS and now has the pleasure of helping them take the next step toward a fulfilling future.

Headwaters Inc., a non-profit community-based, transitional work/rehabilitation center in Rhinelander, partnered with Nicolet, the School District of Rhinelander and the Northland Pines School District, to develop the curriculum for the soft skills class which will run until June 1.

Schirra said the curriculum dovetails with the work skills the students who take part in programming at Headwaters are learning in that setting and builds on the experience those who already have part-time jobs are gaining in their respective workplaces.

“They are building on the knowledge they already have,” she said, adding that she hopes the class will become a regular offering at Nicolet.

Burmaster said the class is an example of Nicolet’s commitment to the community as a whole.

“This is just a wonderful collaboration we feel. It began with really Headwaters and Nicolet College looking at how might Nicolet College serve all of our citizens and that includes our citizens with intellectual disabilities,” she said. “All of us learn from individuals with intellectual disabilities as well as they learn from us, it’s a good reciprocal relationship.”

Mary Hardtke, director of Headwaters, said the class represents a giant step forward for her clients.

“This is big,” she said. “To have people with intellectual challenges go to college is just fantastic.”

Ask the students how they are enjoying college and you hear nothing but raves.

Billie Jo Scheuermann talked excitedly about her dream of becoming a nurse’s aide while another student asked for a job application as soon as Wednesday’s session ended. All of the students interviewed said they absolutely adore their instructor and are thrilled to be part of the Nicolet community.

Natalie Schneider couldn’t contain her enthusiasm when asked about her feelings on the new class.

“I love the class,” she replied immediately, her eyes shining with excitement.

Enrollment jumps at local tech schools

From wjfw.com: “Enrollment jumps at local tech schools” – WAUSAU - A local technical college collects recognition for its recent enrollment boom.

Northcentral Technical College was named the number 21 fastest growing school in the nation.

Community College Week magazine conducted a survey of more than one thousand two-year public schools.

Based in Wausau, Northcentral includes locations in Antigo, Medford, Merrill, and Phillips.

The school ranked near the top of the list after experiencing a 48 percent increase in enrollment since 2005.

Tech college growth is not limited to Northcentral, however.

The student body at Nicolet College in Rhinelander increased nearly 20 percent in the past three years.

Focus on community colleges is a national trend.

Today President Obama proposed an 8-billion dollar Community College to Career Fund, with the goal of training 2-million workers.

Business seminar set for Thursday in Tomahawk

From wisconsinrapidstribune.com: “Business seminar set for Thursday in Tomahawk” – Tomahawk Main Street and Nicolet College will hold a free seminar next week for people interested in starting a new business.

Explore Starting a Business will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Tomahawk Community Bank, 15 E. Wisconsin Ave.

The seminar is geared toward entrepreneurs looking to start a business, current business operators who need to write a business plan or small businesses in need of help.

Call Michelle Madl at 715-365-4492 or email mmadl@nicoletcollege.edu to register for the workshop. Call Liz Milender at 715-453-1090 or email director@tomahawkmainstreet.com for information about Tomahawk Main Street’s recent business recruitment efforts or about starting a business downtown.

Nicolet continues to develop dental care programs

From rhinelanderdailynews.com: “Development of dental care programs at Nicolet continues” —  Nicolet Area Technical College is on track to begin offering two new dental care programs to students beginning with the spring 2013 semester. That’s according to Kenneth Urban, vice president of Teaching, Learning and Student Success, who discussed the potential implementation date for the new offerings as part of a report to Nicolet’s board of trustees Tuesday night.

The board previously approved the scope proposal for the new programs at its November meeting — a two-year dental hygienist associate degree and a one-semester dental assistant program. That proposal awaits approval from the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) board, and is only a preliminary analysis of the potential demand for the dental care programs and rough cost estimates. Once that is complete, Urban told board members that a more detailed proposal on the course offerings themselves would be coming before them in March. State approval would then be expected in May.

“We haven’t set an implementation date,” Urban said. “A lot will depend on when the facilities are done. We need (state) approval on the programs before we can start marketing them.”

The plan is to house the dental care offerings in the new Peter Christensen Dental Clinic currently being constructed in Lac du Flambeau. That facility will provide Nicolet with the classroom space and equipment needed for the programs, leaving only instructor salaries as the sole cost the college will have to take on.

Nicolet President Elizabeth Burmaster said she and other college officials have already budgeted for two instructors for the programs to start in the fall. They will be responsible for getting the programs officially accredited. The actual curriculum has already been established within the WTCS. Eight of the 16 WTCS technical colleges currently offer the two-year dental hygienist associate degree.

“Every one of them has a waiting list,” Urban said. “There’s a huge need for this.”

Snowmobile Team shows off hi-tech gear at Nicolet College

From wjfw.com: “Snowmobile Team shows off hi-tech gear at Nicolet College” — RHINELANDER - And heading into the race this weekend, students at Nicolet College got a treat as one pro snowmobiling team stopped by.

Scheuring Speed Sports and the local Air Force recruiting office came together to talk to auto technology students about how they’re pushing the edges of science and technology.

The Scheuring team will be racing this weekend in Eagle River, and they aren’t leaving much up to chance.

“It’s calculated, and if you can back it up with a computer telling you it’s the right decision, then 99% of the time, it is… You’re playing the physics game the whole time just trying to make sure everything is right,” says Scheuring team racer, Robbie Malinowski.

The team uses advanced computer analysis to read responses from the snowmobiles while they’re in action- They can then use that information to tweak the machines,and push their performance even higher.

But this type of diagnostic testing and use of computers, also has more practical applications.

“What they do in their racing, we do on an everyday basis as far as the Air Force is concerned, but on a much larger scale,” says U.S. Air Force recruiter Jesse Dettman.

The Scheuring team and the Air Force awarded a scholarship to one Nicolet student in the Auto technology program.

They hope to share with students the important and constantly changing role of technology in all fields.

Nicolet College already looking for savings in 2012-13 budget

From rhinelanderdailynews.com: “Nicolet College already looking for savings in 2012-2013 budget” – The exact deficit Nicolet Area Technical College will face in the 2012-13 budget may not be known yet, but college officials know one thing: the state imposed property tax levy freeze that already affected this year’s budget planning will still be in place. Considering the recent trends of increasing enrollment and other costs that typically see a jump every year, for Nicolet officials it all means, as the adage says, finding a way to do more with less.

While the effects the second year of the tax levy freeze will have on Nicolet College won’t be felt for several more months, college officials have already begun looking at areas where cost savings can be realized in the 2012-13 budget. Tuesday night, during the monthly meeting of the college’s board of trustees, that discussion revolved around changes covering employee leave benefits, health insurance benefits for retirees, and the terms for instructors’ teaching assignments, all areas currently under a collective bargaining agreement that runs through June 2012.

“We’ve had our flexibility taken away (with the levy unable to change this year and next year) and we have to be able to fit our operations into that,” said Sandy Kinney, Nicolet’s executive director of communications. “It’s too early to tell (what kind of deficit there will be for 2012-13), but it’s planning ahead. We know our revenue will not substantially change and some costs go up every year. A majority of our money is spent for salaries and benefits.”

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