Demand jumps for NTC architectural design grads

From wausaudailyherald.com: “Demand jumps for NTC architectural design graduates” — WAUSAU — Marina Reinke will have a job waiting for her when she graduates May 17 from Northcentral Technical College with a degree in architectural design.

She’ll be working as a designer for a home builder in Amherst. That’s good news for Reinke, 19, of Wausau, and it is indicative of positive developments in the housing and building industry and the local economy as a whole.

But it also represents a bit of a problem: Instructors for NTC’s architectural design, sustainable architecture and other construction-related programs say that employers in those fields are beginning to clamor for trained workers. Unfortunately, instructors said, there aren’t enough graduates to fill the need for those positions.

The change over the past five years has been dramatic, said Jeff Musson, an architectural design and technology instructor. In 2008 and 2009, at the height of the Great Recession and after the housing market collapsed, NTC received only 10 job postings from employers looking for those skills. In 2013, NTC received 176 postings, and already, the school has 82 postings in the first quarter of this year.

“It’s frustrating for me,” Musson said. “I mean, these are good jobs, paying $15 to $20 per hour. And I don’t have anybody to send them.”

Reinke is one of 12 architecture and sustainable architecture students who will graduate in May. The total number of students in those programs now is 22.

Part of the problem, Musson said, is that a lot of students steered away from architecture during the recession, when there were no jobs to be had in those fields. Some counselors and parents still advise students to look to other fields in the belief that the jobs still aren’t there. Musson said parents often are surprised when he tells them about the demand for building-related jobs when he speaks at open houses and other events.

Chris Pomerening, 22, of Athens plans to move on to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to earn a bachelor’s degree in architecture after he graduates with his associate degree in sustainable architecture from NTC in a couple of months.

Prior to enrolling at NTC, Pomerening studied fine art at the University of Wisconsin Marathon County. The switch to architecture, even during a recession, was a move in a more secure direction, he said.

“People are always going to need houses,” Pomerening said.

Reinke was offered her job even before the spring semester started and looks forward to going to work.

“It’s awesome,” she said. “I’ve been excited ever since.”

 

Gov. Walker signs Youth Apprenticeship bill at Nicolet College

From wxpr.org: “Gov. Walker signs Youth Apprenticeship bill in Rhinelander” — Governor Scott Walker has signed a bill in Rhinelander that he says will help employers get more skilled workers to companies. Youth Apprenticeship integrates high school-based and work-based learning to instruct students in skills defined by Wisconsin industries. It works with local school districts and the area technical colleges.

Stopping at Nicolet College to sign the Youth Apprenticeship Walker says the bill passed both legislative chambers with just one “no” vote, showing broad bi-partisan support. The program is already in action, but the new funding enlarges the program. 1900 students went through the program last year Walker says…

“….we were able to put a half-million(more) in each year…for a total of $4.6 million dollars that will be invested in this program. And in doing so, we’ll be able to place 550 more individuals into this youth apprenticeship program….”

Walker says manufacturing, agriculture, architecture, information technology and healthcare are targeted for apprenticeships. Walker says the business community needs skilled workers in these areas now…

　“….many of our employers across the state, particularly our small and mid-sized employers would add more work but they’re a little bit resistant to do that right now until they know they can fill the positions they have for things like high-skilled welders, CNC operators, machinists, tool-and-dye operators….”

Walker says manufacturing jobs pay more, have more benefits and workers stay longer than many other jobs.

 

NWTC architecture challenge gives back

From fox11online.com: “NWTC architecture challenge gives back” — GREEN BAY – Students at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College are making a difference in an unusual way. Call it food by design.

They took on a challenge, to be architects with the food items to be donated later to a campus food pantry.

The five teams, made up of architectural club members, had 24 hours to build their structures. They only saw their building materials right before the competition started.

Professional architects judged the masterpieces and the top three were awarded with a plaque that will hang in the school.

After the awards were given, the nonperishable food items were packed up and donated to Shared Harvest Food Cupboard.

“The biggest thing is that it’s a big contribution giving back to our community, giving back to people that are less fortunate than we are,” said Steve Gussert, president of the NWTC Architectural Club.

The pantry is for students that don’t have enough money to buy food.

Former school now home to teachers, students

From marshfieldnewsherald.com: “Former school now home to teachers, students” — After graduation, most students are happy to leave their school building and never return. And although young children often think so, teachers do not live in their classrooms.

But in Marshfield, however, some students are living where they learned and some teachers where they taught.

For decades, the historic Purdy Building nestled in Marshfield historic downtown district, served as the city’s junior high and vocational school.

Named after Marshfield’s World War I war hero, the Willard D. Purdy Junior High and Vocational School began holding classes in fall 1920. After McKinley High School burned in 1936, the Purdy School served as both junior and senior high, and in 1971, after the completion of Marshfield’s new high school, Mid-State Technical College moved into Purdy.

Throughout the years, many students and teachers passed through the hallways of the Purdy Building, and some of these academics are back because of the site’s transformation into a retirement community. Maintaining many of its original features and its unique collegiate gothic style, Purdy was transformed into the Aster Retirement Community of Marshfield in 1996.

Don Erpenbach, a Neillsville native, taught psychology at the Purdy Building when it was Mid-State Technical College. Today, he enjoys his meals near his former classroom.

“We had classrooms, and now we have apartments,” he said. Aster hosts 53 apartments, and living in one of them brings back memories of Erpenbach’s teaching days.

Another former teacher, Joey Mulholland, also resides at Aster. Although she taught at Columbus Catholic High School, her four children attended school in the Purdy Building and she took MSTC courses. Her decision to live in a former school was purely coincidental.

“There’s no rhyme or reason,” she said. “I like the location and I like what (Aster) offers, and the staff is wonderful.”

Tenants often casually remark how this room used to be their home economics classroom or that room used to be the gym, and it is these stories that Activities Director Janice Christiansen enjoys.

“It’s kind of neat how much history is in this building, and it’s interesting that you get to hear about it every day from the residents, to learn what it was like back then,” she said. “It’s surprising that we have several teachers that live here. One is even 100 years old. It’s the full circle of life, where they were teaching here and now they are living here.

“Many residents here were students, too,” she added. “I think it gives them a sense of home.”

Reunions between students and teachers also have occurred within the walls of this former school building. Before one memorable performance, local musician Mike Holubets, who often donates his talents to entertain the residents at Aster, recognized the familiar face of Bob Campbell, his childhood music teacher and career inspiration.

“It think it’s so cool,” said Christiansen. “A former student took and went into music, and here his teacher is listening to him.”

Campbell passed away earlier this year, but his wife, Janet, continues to marvel at the unexpected reunion between teacher and student. “It’s interesting how people connect,” she said. “It isn’t very often that you find someone that lives in the same place he taught.”

Whether residing at Aster Retirement Community by choice or karma, former teachers and students living in the historic Purdy Building definitely feel at home in a classroom.

Madison College instructors use 3-D printers as part of curriculum

From nbc15.com: “Madison College instructors use 3-D printers as part of curriculum” — It’s cutting-edge technology at our fingertips. 3-D printers are being used to create everything from cell phone covers to cars to prosthetic limbs. Now, instructors at Madison Area Technical College are implementing the machines into their curriculum.

The printers have been around for decades, but like most technology, over the years the price has dropped and they’re now much more accessible. Come fall, there will be one in dozens of classrooms at Madison College. Now, envisioning an idea, like the architectural plans for a building, will no longer be confined to a computer screen.

“The way is to create the 3-D model in the software,” Jim Grenzow said. “It needs to be translated and sent to this machine. And when we build the model, basically what we do is take sections and 3-4 thousandths of an inch thick and printing them out on this machine.”

Grenzow helps architecture students at Madison College bring their designs to life using a 3-D printer.

“The machine that we have works basically on the principal that if I draw an object, and cut out this object with a razor blade knife,” Grenzow said. “And then transferred that onto each of these sheets of paper, and then cut them out and stacked them all on top of each other, I would have a 3-D object. ”

The process is a layering effect and takes hours to complete. The printer Grenzow works with uses a white flour-like material, but others can use anything from plastic to metal to even sugar or syrup to make food.

“So there are multiple ways to actually create a 3-D product using different materials,” said Ken Starkman, Dean of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology at Madison College. “And I think that’s where we’re going to see these tremendous leaps and bounds in technology here in the coming years and months.”

Starkman says the industry is currently going two ways: One toward the high-end multi-material 3-D printer that major companies and schools may use, and the other toward the less expensive, less complex ones that people can buy for their homes.

“3-D technology will find its way into our kitchens, it will find its way into our home offices,” Starkman said. “It may find its way into shopping malls. When you start thinking in 3-D, the possibilities really become endless.”

But many fear there is also a downside to the printers. The government has been concerned recently about people’s capacity to build their own guns that are made of non-metal based materials, and can easily get through a metal detector.

There is also the concern that manufacturing jobs may soon go away if people are able to use 3-D printers to replace things like car parts all on their own. Starkman says while the face of manufacturing will certainly change, technology will create new demands and therefore new jobs.

 

WCTC 3D modeling instructor featured

From bizjournals.com: “PDC’s Sisson has designs on improvement: CRE Guide – People in the News” — James Sisson joined PDC Midwest Inc. as a project architect bringing more than 16 years of experience in residential, institutional and commercial building projects in addition to specific expertise in information technology. He has taught courses in 3D modeling and is currently a part-time instructor at Waukesha County Technical College.

NEW POSITION: Project architect/CAD manager, PCD Midwest Inc., Hartland

HOMETOWN: Waukesha

EDUCATION: Architectural drafting and construction, Waukesha County Technical College, 1993

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR NEW OPPORTUNITY: “I’m excited about the growth at PDC Midwest. We have a very specific niche in our industry as an architect-led design/build firm. Clients are very loyal to the efficiencies of our delivery process and the high quality of our work. I’m thrilled to be part of a forward thinking firm.”

THOUGHTS ON YOUR POSITION: “I am looking forward to the opportunity to positively impact the firm through my architectural project involvement and by streamlining CAD processes. As CAD manager, I’ll be leading the charge for constant improvement.”

CAREER ADVICE: “Take every opportunity you can to try new things. Do what you can to become invaluable.”

FIRST JOB: Dishwasher at Country Inn hotel

PERSONAL HERO: Neil Armstrong

LAST BOOK READ: “The Hunger Games” trilogy

PERSON YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO MEET: Albert Einstein

FAMILY: “I’ve been married since 1995 and I have two sons and one daughter, ages 13, 10 and 6.”

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: “Walt Disney World with the kids”

MOST MEANINGFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT: “Passing all nine (Architectural Registration) exams the first time”

FAVORITE FILM: “The Fugitive” (1993)

FAVORITE MILWAUKEE RESTAURANT: “Saz’s. There’s nothing like having a beer and eating mozzarella marinara down at Summerfest.”

LIKES ABOUT MILWAUKEE: “The Milwaukee Admirals, Summerfest and the fireworks at the lakefront”

WHAT YOU MOST LIKE DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME: “Spending time with family and friends, golfing, attending car shows and watching hockey”