Technical college graduate salaries grow despite recession
April 29, 2009
Despite a slow economy, last year’s technical college graduates report salaries that are nearly four percent higher than graduates from one year earlier. A survey of 2008 technical colleges graduates concluded a median salary of $32,000 approximately six months after graduation, compared with $30,782 one year earlier.
As we celebrate Earth Day as a nation, it’s important to note that some of the nation’s emerging professions with the most growth potential are energy-related and are becoming more prevalent in Wisconsin. In order to help fill the demand for jobs in alternative energy and related “green industry” fields, several Wisconsin Technical Colleges are preparing students for work in this high-growth industry. Among the available programs are Biorefinery Technician, Renewable Electricity Technician and Renewable Thermal Energy Technician, available at Mid-State Technical College; Wind Energy Technician, available at Lakeshore Technical College.
Read the rest of this entry »
Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) report on green economy
April 13, 2009
The Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) recently published a report about the “greening” of Wisconsin’s economy.
The organization asks, “How can Wisconsin best pursue the greener and more equitable promise of the clean energy economy? A new report from COWS looks at how the state can use American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars and a first-rate technical college system to ensure that the emerging green economy benefits Wisconsin’s working families.”
The report includes:
- What is a green job?
- Greening Wisconsin’s manufacturing base
- Funding a green recovery
- Green training at Wisconsin’s technical colleges
- Recommendations for green workforce development
- Occupations in selected clean energy sectors
Yahoo Hot Job’s article lists the ten hottest career options you can get for two years of education or less. Whether you’re forced into a new career because of downsizing or you want to explore options that are experiencing growth, Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges offer many of these options.
1. Employment Recruitment Specialist
As America moves away from manufacturing and toward a service economy, employers need help identifying and recruiting strong job candidates. An associate’s degree in business and the ability to build great relationships with prospects can land you an entry-level job in this competitive field, exposing you to essential on-the-job training. Many full time recruiters earn $40,000 or more per year.
More than 20 Diesel Technology and Agriculture Power Equipment Instructors from Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges will be convening in Madison to learn about technological advancements in their program areas. Ten of Wisconsin’s 16 technical colleges have diesel technology and/or agriculture power equipment programs. Instructors will be hearing presentations and participating in hands-on demonstrations from industry experts. The day will include a trip to the Madison Metro bus maintenance facilities for a close look on the maintenance of diesel hybrid buses. News media are invited to attend.
“This is a perfect opportunity to not only provide instructors with cutting-edge technology they can take back to their students, but also time for instructors to network and share best teaching practices,” said Sandy Schmit, Electronics, Transportation and Automotive education director at the Wisconsin Technical College System.
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009
Locations and Times of Presentations:
Madison Area Technical College, 3550 Anderson St., Madison, WI, Diesel Center, Room 142 B
- 9:15 a.m. Sloan Implement will be presenting on the Auto Trac (GPS) Planting System.
- 11:00 a.m. Eaton Corporation will be presenting on Diesel Hybrid Technology and Hybrid Hydraulic Technology.
Madison Metro Bus System, 1245 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI
- 1:00 p.m. Madison Metro will provide insight into the maintenance of hybrid buses.
Some technical college students will have a little extra cash as a result of their creativity and innovative thinking. The students are finalists in a competition designed to recognize the creative spirit and the culture of originality thriving at technical colleges across Wisconsin.
Technical college students were invited to enter short videos describing and showing their unique visions of the future at school, home, travel or play. Forty-five entries were submitted from students around the state and judges at each college selected one semifinalist per college. The semifinalists competed for three grand prizes: $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000. All video entries can be viewed in the Video Gallery of wearefuturemakers.com/futurefest. <http://www.wearefuturemakers.com/futurefest/gallery> Read the rest of this entry »
Wisconsin Technical College News 