Number of employers up at CVTC job fair

From weau.com: “Number of employers up at CVTC job fair” — Employers and potential employees got the chance to connect Wednesday thanks to a career fair held at CVTC.

More than 70 employers were on hand for the fair that was held for CVTC students and alumni. The technical college says the number of employers at the fair has increased from past years pointing to more growth in the number of jobs available in the Chippewa Valley.

Manager of Student Services Grants & Operations Natti Marlaire told us they’re “up 16 employers more than we’ve had in the past, which shows that the economy is bouncing back. Employers are specifically looking for CVTC grads, looking for the skilled worker, and it’s a great opportunity to match our business industry needs by matching them up with students who will be graduating. “

CVTC says 87% of its graduates find jobs related to their field after graduation.

Skilled trades workers needed for new construction projects

From nbc15.com: “Skilled trades workers needed for new construction projects” — Sun Prairie — Everywhere you look new construction is popping up all over the place in Wisconsin.

While the boom in business is good for the economy, it’s turning into a problem for contractors like Dan Duren.

“Right now, we have people to draw from but we are fighting over those people we have,” said Duren.

He’s the owner of Duren Custom Builders, and has homes to build but not enough skilled tradesmen to work on them.

“There’s concrete work, foundation work, flat work, roofers, siders, insulators, electricians, plumbers, HVAC guys, there’s a whole list,” said Duren.

He’s not the only one on the hunt. Wednesday on Craiglist there were dozens of similar postings. Meantime, at Madison Area Technical College, remodeling instructor John Stephany’s phone is ringing off the hook.

“I already had over a third of our students hired and was fielding calls daily,” said Stephany.

He says the uptick is due to low interest rates, and people deciding to move forward with homes. However, many skilled workers turned in their tool belts during the recession, and now people like Duren are feeling the impact.

“It’s the young guys coming in, the young blood coming into the workforce we’re lacking on,” said Duren.

According to MATC this trend is also happening in other parts of the country like Texas, and Florida, something they believe will only grow in the coming months.

 

Welding Boot Camp creates skilled workers

From reliableplant.com: “Welding Boot Camp creates skilled workers”  — There’s a boot camp taking place in Fond du Lac, Wis. – one that doesn’t require boot shining, marching and bivouacs, though you do have to wear a helmet and other gear and follow instructions.

This particular group of “recruits” is firing welding torches. Along with Brenner Tank LLC of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College developed a Welding Boot Camp to train individuals for entry-level work in the welding profession. The first eight-week camp began June 18 and ran through August 15; a second seven-week round will start in September. All participants earn four college credits that articulate into Moraine Park’s welding program.

“Brenner Tank formed the partnership with Moraine Park in an effort to maintain our competitive edge,” said Dawn Marie Polakoski, PHR, Brenner Tank’s human resources manager. “ Moraine Park’s custom training program is providing the skilled welders we need to support our continued growth. As a local manufacturer, we are very pleased with the creation of the Welding Boot Camp.”

While built in conjunction with Brenner Tank, the program was designed with the broader purpose of helping manufacturers address a serious shortage of skilled welders and is open to any manufacturing employer who may have similar workforce development needs. The program works to connect energetic, dedicated individuals with a sincere interest in a welding career with employers by helping those individuals develop the foundational skills needed to be successful. Ten candidates were selected by Brenner Tank for the first boot camp. Their ages varied but their passion for welding is the same.

Sara Buechel, 18, of New Holstein, Wis., applied because she enjoys welding and wanted to get further education in the profession. Joel Grier of Fond du Lac, also 18, also wanted to learn more about welding and be able to get a good job. Daniel O’Connor, 36, of Fond du Lac sees the Welding Boot Camp as an opportunity to better himself and have a shot at a new career move. And, the camp is a chance to expand job opportunities at Brenner for Forrest Brunet, 42, of North Fond du Lac.

Brenner Tank interns are paid to train three days per week at the welding lab on Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus under the instruction of adjunct faculty member Jonathan Thill. For the remaining two days of the week, they work at Brenner, where they apply the skills they learn in the classroom. Tuition is employer-paid. The Brenner Tank interns who successfully complete the program are given priority consideration for a permanent position with Brenner.

“We’re very excited to be partnering with Brenner Tank,” said Kathy Schlieve, Moraine Park economic and workforce development sales representative. “They have been instrumental in helping Moraine Park develop this program and are actively working with area high schools to educate students about career opportunities in manufacturing. Welding interns who successfully complete the boot camp are filling open or new positions and are earning a better wage. Moraine Park’s goal is to provide the type of rapid response that companies need to develop and maintain a competitive advantage and grow their business, and the Welding Boot Camp delivers on that goal.”

Polakoski concurs, “This program is a win-win that meets our needs as an employer but also helps the individuals being trained to begin earning a good wage while developing lifelong career skills that they can build on for future career advancement.”

With additional training, the opportunities that exist for these individuals abound.

“Manufacturing has become very high-tech and offers a variety of career opportunities,” said Marcia Arndt, Moraine Park dean of manufacturing technology. “The future workforce has to be technologically savvy to handle the competitive climate of the global market. In addition to technical skills, employers are looking for people who can problem-solve, work in teams and adapt to change quickly. Moraine Park’s manufacturing program helps individuals develop these skills for future success.”

For more information about upcoming welding boot camps in Fond du Lac, call Moraine Park at 920-924-3449 or e-mail training@morainepark.edu.

 

WITC puts students to work

From northlandnewscenter.com: “Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College puts students to work” — Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is saying “Let’s Get to Work!”

Companies from throughout Twin Ports visited the college to collect resumes and give advice to eager students.

With graduation just around the corner, the college held a job fair to help students transition into the real world.

“They’re starting to think about how to land that first job…we have a number of workshops on how to tie a tie, how to do an interview, and a whole bunch of other topics,” says Bob Meyer, President of WITC.

“It helps me a lot because in my profession cosmetology you want to always look your best, look professional,” says Chenoa Quam, student at WITC.

Meyer says the high demand for skilled workers in Northland states was one of the major reasons “Let’s Get to Work” was created.

“There’s a high demand for skilled workers in Wisconsin and in Minnesota even in the Dakotas with all the drilling for natural gas and oil out there…huge demand for welders, machinists, and of course with the baby boomers retiring there’s also a lot of demand in health occupations,” Meyer adds.

Employers have seen the benefits of attending the fair by finding their next crop of workers.

“We have about a 91 percent placement rate. It’s been pretty much at that level all through the recession,” says Meyer.

And with such a high success rate, businesses like this one, keep coming back.

“Oh we’ve been attending this for a number of years,” says Sandi Wade, a nurse at Interim Healthcare.

And with good reason. Interim Health Care has experienced the advantages of the attending the fair, first hand.

“What’s nice about coming here is they have a nursing program so the nurses that are graduating may apply with us and…we have had students in past years that have applied for us and are still working with us, “Wade continues.

WITC filled the students with career guided information then filled their stomachs with a spaghetti lunch.

The final event showcased a panel of HR employees giving tips on how to make a lasting impression.

42 Twin Ports companies attended the fair.

 

Rentapen finds most skilled workers graduate from Wisconsin tech colleges

From prweb.com: “Growing Weld Fixture Design and Build Company Takes Part in Efforts to Close Manufacturing Skills Gap in Wisconsin” —  On March 13, 2013 Governor Scott Walker signed the bill known as “Wisconsin Fast Forward”. This bill is designed to address the skills shortage in the state’s manufacturing workforce and will better link employers and job seekers. This bill will allow Rentapen Inc., a weld fixture tooling company to hire skilled workers with the right education.

Rentapen Inc., a Machine Tool Design Company and Manufacturer of precision metal shims is just one of several manufactures helping with the effort to get the word out that jobs in manufacturing provide job security and require extensive skills. According to manufacturers, there is a large disconnect in Wisconsin between the workforce and the number of skilled workers ready to fill positions.

According to the panel of speakers at the New Faces of Manufacturing Summit hosted by Waukesha County Business Alliance, 68% of manufacturers reported a lack of talent or skills in the manufacturing industry. High school students and college freshman, who have not determined a major, do not think about manufacturing. When they do think of manufacturing, they think of it as dirty and made up of people who are low income and lower skilled.

Rentapen Inc. has been a member of the Waukesha County Business Alliance for almost two years and has been affected first hand by the skills gap. Recently, Rentapen Inc. has joined the “Dream It Do It” Marketing Action Team. This action team is made up of individuals around South-Eastern Wisconsin, and is dedicated to lessening the skills gap.

Rentapen Inc. has found that some of the most skilled workers are graduating from technical colleges. Rentapen has hired over 5 individuals from Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) alone; these students have started as interns and have excelled and been retained.

“It’s exciting to be in manufacturing right now. We are in a busy and growing industry. Finding, training, and maintaining good talent is key to being competitive in the global marketplace,” said Susan Straley, President of Rentapen. “We are pleased to have the support of the College, and the State in helping manufacturers succeed in Wisconsin.”

The second part of the bill that Governor Walker signed creates a workforce training grant program at the Department of Workforce Development. This grant program will be used to leverage additional private dollars to help both new and current employees to acquire additional job trainings skills. The bill, coined “Wisconsin Fast Forward,” creates a website that uses real-time job data to match employers and potential workers, provides $15 million in state funds for worker training grants and creates an Office of Skills Development within the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to help provide specific training for employers who need workers with specific skills.

Rentapen Inc. and many other manufacturing companies are struggling to find skilled workers to fill a variety of positions because the education that people are getting does not fit the skills needed in the actual working environment. Individuals are taking courses to receive a 4-year diploma but are not attaining the correct skills needed to excel in the work place.

“One problem is, parents and adults are pushing students to get degrees in subjects that do not necessarily prepare them for jobs that actually exist in the market,” said Nicole Thies, Marketing Coordinator. “There is a large amount of history majors, political scientists and lawyers than is needed in the workforce. At the same time, the average high schools do not have a manufacturing class or a program designed to teach about a CNC operator. There is also need for machinists and welders; these courses are not offered or encouraged in a lot of high schools throughout the state and the nation.”

Manufacturing is one of the fastest growing industries like nursing, retail and food service. The manufacturing sector is aging. Within the next five years a new generation of workers will need to have the skills and experience to take over for the generation that is leaving. Companies are trying to deal with the hundreds of years of experience that will be walking out the door in the next five to ten years. There may not be thousands of new jobs, but there will be thousands of openings, and Wisconsin does not have the skill sets to fill in.

Changing economy means embracing continual learning

From postcrescent.com: “Changing economy means embracing continual learning” — More than two decades working as a bricklayer was enough for Mark Vander Velden.

When construction activity dried up during the recession, it became more clear to Vander Velden he needed a career switch, but at 50 he wondered if learning new skills for a new career was still possible.

“I haven’t been in a classroom since high school so it was a little nerve-wracking to even think about going back,” said Vander Velden, who lives outside Hortonville.

Vander Velden checked out Fox Valley Technical College in 2011 and hasn’t looked back. He enrolled in the electromechanical program that year and expects to graduate this fall.

Vander Velden said he’s best at hands-on learning, which is a big part of the program he selected.

“It was great to be learning about all the different kinds of programming controllers and hydraulic systems I could potentially be working with,” he said.

Workforce training

Vander Velden isn’t alone. The median age of FVTC’s students are in their early 30s, which means the college serves many people like Vander Velden who want to update current job skills or try a different career, said Chris Matheny, vice president of instructional services at FVTC.

Matheny said keeping workers’ skills updated is the college’s ongoing mission and with the business environment in constant flux, the college also must be in regular communication with the community to ensure its programs are meeting regional needs.

“Our purpose really is to make sure that we’re always talking to our employers and get out as much as possible to ensure we’re giving them the skilled workers they need,” Matheny said.

Matheny said FVTC has advisory groups it regularly consults with to keep its programs up to date.

Appleton-based Miller Electric Mfg. Co. is one of its business partners. Miller has worked with FVTC on a variety of training programs for its own workers and on initiatives to enhance manufacturing training for other regional employers.

“A well-trained workforce is a competitive advantage that differentiates us from other global companies and prevents us from experiencing significant skill gaps due to future retirements of our baby boomers and to meet our future growth requirements,” said Mike Weller, president of Miller Electric.

 

Education fair to promote technical jobs

From stevenspointjournal.com: “Education fair to promote technical jobs” — GRAND RAPIDS — For Scott Stanczyk, losing his job at the Whiting paper mill when the facility closed its doors in 2010 provided the incentive he needed to pursue a new career path.

Now in his last semester of the renewable thermal energy technician program at Mid-State Technical College, Stanczyk said his love for the outdoors and the environment gave him the opportunity to reinvent himself.

“The economy was terrible when they first shut the doors, and the job outlook was pretty tough, so I needed to do something,” he said. “I was glad to have the opportunity to take this course and have some support from our government as a dislocated worker. It’s been a great experience here at Mid-State.”

It’s experiences like Stanczyk’s that workforce development leaders hope to share with a new generation of students in a world of changing perceptions about the relevance and role of the technical and industrial sector. It’s for that reason that Mid-State Technical College is hosting its second annual Technical and Industrial Education Fair from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at its Wisconsin Rapids campus.

“This is a great opportunity to explore technical educational and apprenticeship programs that lead to great careers with excellent pay,” said Gary Kilgas, associate dean for the college’s Technical and Industrial Division, which is organizing the event.

Designed to benefit high school students seeking to advance their education, individuals looking to expand their skill set or retrain for a new career, as well as parents and friends, the event will provide them with an opportunity to tour facilities and engage in a variety of individual technical program demonstrations, according to an MSTC news release.

There are opportunities in south Wood County for people who want to work in fields such as industrial mechanics, instrumentation and controls, engineering technology and welding, said Rick Merdan, a manufacturing facilitator for Workforce Central, a grassroots initiative to help match local employers with the skilled workers they need.

“All of those are very high-demand fields, with people in very good positions, very good jobs coming out of those programs,” Merdan said.

A key part of promoting jobs in the technical and industrial sectors is to change what have become outdated perceptions, especially with an expected increase in the number of such jobs available due to looming retirements, said Bruce Trimble, employer services director for the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board.

“The perception (of technical jobs) has been dumb, dirty and dark, but they’re anything but that,” Trimble said. “If you go into a welding shop, the air is just like if you would walk into an office building.

“It’s about getting people to realize what’s needed and what those actual jobs are like and that those positions pay very good, family-sustaining entry-level wages.”

At Corenso North America, for example, the core board manufacturer has had a couple positions open for a while that company officials have not been able to fill, President Tom Janke said.

“There’s really an immediate need in some areas,” said Janke, who also serves as board chairman for the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce. “This isn’t something that’s necessarily three, four, five, seven years down the road; there’s opportunities for it right now.”

Janke also encouraged those who are thinking about getting into a technical field to seek out the many opportunities available right in south Wood County.

“You don’t have to relocate,” he said. “You don’t have to go to a large city; there are opportunities right here.”

FVTC is meeting skilled worker shortage

From wbay.com: “Skilled worker shortage continues” — Grand Chute -Job creation was a big part of the Governor’s State of the State Address Tuesday night. It came as many of the companies hiring in the state are seeking skilled workers.

As one of many non-traditional students at Fox Valley Tech, Jason Westberg is hoping to take advantage of a growing list of help wanted postings upon graduation as a machine tool technician.

He went back to school last August after a decision to change careers.

“Machine tool is a huge opportunity for re-training and advancement, so that’s why I chose this career path,” said Westberg.

The college says it’s aware of at least 200 openings.

It’s the same story in the package and label printing industry, where a job board at FVTC is now covered.

Instructor Scott Gehrt says the industry in Wisconsin is growing at a rate of 8 percent.

Gehrt said, “There was a time this fall when we had almost a hundred jobs postings on that board at one time, so the industry is real strong.”

Not only are technical colleges taking up the task of filling this employment gap, but they’re also having to train existing workers who must continuously keep up their knowledge.

Fox Valley Tech Vice President of Instruction Chris Matheny said, “The average age of our student is about 30 or 32. So, these are individuals that had life experiences, had other educational experiences, had work experiences, and are coming back or continuing their education in a way that they see a direct need in industry.”

As a skilled worker, Westberg hopes to have his pick of employers.

“Even at this point, at my early stages in this, it’s still, job opportunities are out there and available,” said Westberg.

 

FVTC addressing skilled worker shortages

From WBAY-TV: “Skilled worker shortage continues”  — GRANT CHUTE — Job creation was a big part of the Governor’s State of the State Address Tuesday night. It came as many of the companies hiring in the state are seeking skilled workers.  As one of many non-traditional students at Fox Valley Tech, Jason Westberg is hoping to take advantage of a growing list of help wanted postings upon graduation as a machine tool technician.  He went back to school last August after a decision to change careers.

“Machine tool is a huge opportunity for re-training and advancement, so that’s why I chose this career path,” said Westberg.

The college says it’s aware of at least 200 openings.  It’s the same story in the package and label printing industry, where a job board at FVTC is now covered.  Instructor Scott Gehrt says the industry in Wisconsin is growing at a rate of 8 percent.

Gehrt said, “There was a time this fall when we had almost a hundred jobs postings on that board at one time, so the industry is real strong.”

Not only are technical colleges taking up the task of filling this employment gap, but they’re also having to train existing workers who must continuously keep up their knowledge.  Fox Valley Tech Vice President of Instruction Chris Matheny said, “The average age of our student is about 30 or 32. So, these are individuals that had life experiences, had other educational experiences, had work experiences, and are coming back or continuing their education in a way that they see a direct need in industry.”

As a skilled worker, Westberg hopes to have his pick of employers.

“Even at this point, at my early stages in this, it’s still, job opportunities are out there and available,” said Westberg.

Workers follow different paths to build skills for new jobs

From wuwm.com: “Project Milwaukee: Workers follow different paths to build skills for new jobs” —  Businesses in the Milwaukee area say there are not enough skilled workers to fill available jobs.

We heard about that frustration Tuesday when WUWM’s LaToya Dennis spoke with local managers. Today, in our Project Milwaukee: Help Wanted series, we learn how people seeking jobs are striving to acquire the skills needed.

Often the journey is punctuated by emotion.

Fresh paint covers brick walls along a hallway of the old Square D factory. Roger Hinkle says its workers made electrical transformers.

“I went in and worked with workers in that factory education center and so they could work on their basic educational skills but within a few years that closed and this building became transformed to a newer use,” Hinkle says during a tour of the center.

Today’s newer use is called the HIRE Center, and Hinkle serves as one of its training specialists. The agency is tucked inside the Milwaukee Enterprise Center-South at 8th and National. It uses federal funds to retrain workers who’ve been displaced due to factors beyond their control.

“People coming into this program come from every walk of life, every background, the common thing they have is they’ve lost their jobs,” Hinkle says.

The center provides a range of services. It teaches some how to run complex machinery. For others, it offers a basic education. Hinkle says often mixed in, is the need to overcome the pain and fear of losing a job.

I hear those emotions in the voices of Connie Skonecki and Robin Klein. Skonecki’s job evaporated when the t-shirt factory where she worked outsourced production.

“It’s devastating, especially when you’re there for 16, 18 years, you lose it all,” she says. I ask if she has a family. “My kids are grown but I got grandchildren,” Skonecki says and adds job loss has had an impact on her extended family. “I can’t get ‘em anything,” she says.

Robin Klein nods knowingly at the story. She tumbled into the ranks of the unemployed when the day care center where she worked closed abruptly.

“There’s not enough jobs out here for people nowadays because they don’t have the skills,” Klein says.

Klein says she quickly realized she needs her GED, so that’s what she’s tackling.

According to the HIRE Center, of the 2,800 people it serves every year, 80 percent find employment.

A few miles south, white sparks dance on the concrete floor as students practice skills they hope will pay off with a family supporting job. This is the welding lab at the Oak Creek campus of MATC and the students’ backgrounds vary from landscaper to chef.

Tom Wicinski drove a forklift until his employer left the state and he lost his $18 an hour job.

“I don’t know if I’ll get into welding. I may. I may not, depending on how my skills will develop. For some people that think welding is easy, they should go out try it,” Wicinski says.

Fellow trainee Shannon Bartley has also found parts of the trade, daunting.

“It’s a challenge to remember how to do dimensions and figuring it out in your head first before you can actually put it on paper,” Bartley says.

A family welder encouraged her to enroll.

Nearby, is Clinton McCarey, a veteran who served with the Army National Guard in Iraq.

“It was miserable. I’m happy to say I made it through, a couple of my soldiers did not, and here I am, picking up a new trade,” McCarey says. I ask if he was working prior to enrolling at MATC, following his service. He says, “Yes sir, I was a roofer. I had to wait a year just to get into this program. I was on the waiting list. I’m doing it and I like it,” McCarey says.

McCarey will attend classes five days a week for one year. Course material includes not only welding practice, but also math and economics. MATC reports that every graduate last year, landed a job with a manufacturer.

Technical school is not the only route to learning industrial skills.

Equipment is humming at Pereles Brothers on Milwaukee’s northwest side. The company makes plastic parts such as handles for power saws.

President Ted Muccio says he could not find skilled applicants, so he created his own training program.

“We have what we call entry level positions, someone comes in and runs a molding press. They’re given instructions on sheets about what they need to watch for, and then there are some other levels above that,” Muccio says.

Muccio partners with the nearby Silver Spring Neighborhood Center. It identifies potential entry-level workers and gets them up to speed on work readiness skills such as showing up on time.

Derrick Roby joined Pereles Bros. a couple years ago.

“I never knew what a machine operator was, and now, I’m pretty good at what I do. I’m trying to advance in this company,” Roby says.

Roby mentioned it was difficult to find a job on account on his background.

“I’m a three time felon, and one thing I like about Pereles, they opened the doors for me and offered a helping hand, which is something that no one would do. Everyone was shutting the door in my face,” Roby says.

On Thursday, WUWM’s Erin Toner will look further into what’s working and what’s missing, in local efforts to close the skills gap.

NWTC grant money to help train skilled workers

From wbay.com: “NWTC grand money to help train skilled workers” — Green Bay -Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is one of 16 technical colleges in the state to get part of $15 million in grant money from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The school is looking to expand and add more students with the money.

“We’re looking at adding another full time machine shop here, basically doubling our capacity for our first year program. Also, we’re looking to update some of the older equipment,” said Matt Schmelzer, a machine tool instructor at NWTC.

NWTC hopes to increase the number of students in skilled trade programs.

“Last year alone we had well over 400 job postings in the northeast Wisconsin area. We’re only graduating 60 students a year,” explained Schmelzer.

Part of the grant money also allows for partnerships with local employers like at Lindquist Machine.

Students from NWTC are able to go there and further their skills.

“When they’re here working, that’s where they get that next step of the education process going to the real life work and real life situations that come up,” explained Mark Kaiser, CEO of Lindquist Machine.

Workers are also able to re-train and learn different skills.

“Technology is constantly changing and so we are able to keep our associates at the highest level we can from a technology stand point working with NWTC,” said Kaiser.

Kaiser also reiterates the need to get more younger people interested in trades like manufacturing which the grant money will help with.

He says it’s the only way business like his can expand.

Western: Referendum good for college, economy

From lacrossetribune.com: “Western: Referendum good for college, economy” — Voters will decide more than the fate of a few building projects when they weigh in on Western Technical College’s $79.8 million referendum.

Remodels and upgrades are part of a plan to improve classes and offerings so they better fit the needs of students and regional employers, Western President Lee Rasch said.

Local taxpayers would pay more — about $39 extra each year on homes worth $100,000.

But a “yes” vote on Election Day also will yield a return on that investment, Western officials said.

With campus improvements funded through the referendum, Western hopes to assuage a skills gap between an undereducated workforce and employers looking for highly skilled workers.

“There are opportunities for people in good-paying positions,” Rasch said. “But they’re opportunities for people who have the skills.”

The college plans to add 1,000 students by 2020 and increase their chances of finding work through improvements paid for by the referendum. By adding students, the technical college expects to see an increase in the number of graduates who stay and work in Western’s 11-county district.

These future alumni would eventually add $97 million to the regional economy by 2034, according to a recent economic report by NorthStar Consulting Group. Construction alone would have an estimated economic impact of $112 million by 2016.

New buildings, more efficiency, new offerings — all are important parts of the college’s 10-year plan.

“It’s like a three-legged stool,” Rasch said.

If voters agree, Western would be able to borrow the money, adding to existing debt of about $58 million.

Western was forced to cut staff and programming last year, when the college lost about $2 million in state aid.

The college’s last referendum was more than 15 years ago, with 64 percent of voters agreeing to pay for a $3 million chunk of the city’s Health Science Center.

Unlike school districts, technical colleges can’t use referendum dollars for operating costs, so they come up only for building projects.

If voters block the measure, Western officials will still do what they can to serve the community, but it could mean missing out on a potential economic boon for the region, Rasch said.

“What’s the social cost and the economic cost if we don’t do anything?” Rasch said. “If we don’t take a step forward, we could run the risk of sliding back.”

Column: Technical colleges help manufacturers find skilled workers

 

From wisconsinrapidstribune.com: “Column: Technical colleges help manufacturers find skilled workers” — By Sue Budjac, president Mid-State Technical College – Wisconsin celebrates its manufacturing heritage this October with National Manufacturing Month.

Our state remains one of the strongest advanced manufacturing states in a U.S. industry valued at $1.7 trillion. A significant amount of American innovation is driven by the manufacturing industry, accounting for 70 percent of all U.S. private sector research and development.

Manufacturers are struggling to fill hundreds of job openings with skilled workers throughout Wisconsin and much of the nation, even in our current era of high unemployment. Mid-State Technical College and the Wisconsin Technical College System actively are working to address this manufacturing skills gap. For example, MSTC and 15 other technical colleges submitted for and were recently awarded a $14.9 million federal grant for the “Making the Future” project, designed to improve and enhance job training for highly skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing. This federal endorsement of our commitment to putting people back to work is an investment in our Wisconsin communities and economy.

Manufacturing careers long have been an important ingredient in the Wisconsin version of the American dream and a healthy Wisconsin economy. The perception of manufacturing as grungy has given way to gleaming machinery, cleanrooms and high technology. Wisconsin’s manufacturing workforce shortage represents opportunity for those seeking a new career. In fact, jobs are likely to become even more plentiful as our rapidly aging manufacturing workforce readies for retirement. A one or two year investment in a MSTC education might be the difference in landing one of these manufacturing jobs.

MSTC works with hundreds of employees from local businesses to regularly assess local employer demand in evaluating our comprehensive mix of more than 100 associate degrees, technical diplomas and certificates. We frequently collaborate with organizations like Incourage Community Foundation’s Workforce Central initiative and the Northcentral Wisconsin Workforce Development Board to connect displaced and incumbent workers with the training they need to serve growing employment sectors such as food manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. The results of these collaborative efforts and MSTC’s technical and industrial programs and certificates are evident at companies like Domtar Corp., Felker Brothers Corp., Innovative Machine Specialists Inc., Mariani Packing Co., Marten Machining, Mid-State Welding & Fabrication LLC, Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., Pointe Precision Inc., Roehl Transport Inc., SKS Machine Inc. and many other industry leaders throughout central Wisconsin.

An investment in one of MSTC’s many technical education programs will provide you with the skills and real-world experience these manufacturers seek. Growing a highly skilled manufacturing workforce will help Wisconsin sustain and embrace its role as the premier manufacturing state in this country.

For more information about MSTC technical and industrial degrees and certificates that could put you on the path to a career in manufacturing, call 888-575-MSTC (6782) or go to www.mstc.edu.

 

 

Manufacturing expo focus on skilled worker shortage

From greenbaypressgazette.com: “Manufacturing expo focus on skilled worker shortage” — Montello-based TW Design and Manufacturing LLC has been hiring workers right out of high school for its precision CNC milling and turning business.

TW was one of the exhibitors Wednesday at the Manufacturing First Expo & Conference in Green Bay, an event that put part of its focus on finding workers to fill open manufacturing jobs.

“We don’t have a skilled pool to draw from, so we hire energetic people out of high school and train them with the people who are already there and have been there for years,” said Brenda Hrobsky, the company’s quality assurance administrator.

Hrobsky said she senses that prospective employees are taking a look at careers in manufacturing.

“For the longest time it seemed like colleges and everyone directed people into the service industry and we got away from manufacturing,” she said. “I think people are starting to see its not a dead industry. We’re doing great as a company.”

Hrobsky said she’s seen employment at TW grow from 30 people to 65 in the seven years she’s worked there.

Manufacturers around the state continue to voice a need for skilled workers to take open positions in shops and production facilities around the state.

More than 600 people and 100 exhibitors were at the conference, networking and discussing what can be done to help address the shortage of skilled workers facing the manufacturing sector.

Jim Morgan, vice president of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, said one of the keys to addressing the shortage is exposing students, parents and teachers to the realities of manufacturing in the 21st century.

“We’ve got a serious image problem in manufacturing and all of you know that,” he told the conference Wednesday morning. “We’ve got people out there that think manufacturing looks like it did 30, 40, 50, 60 years ago. … If that’s their perception, and it’s that far off, they are not going to go where we need them to go.”

A small card on Sturgeon Bay-based Marine Travelift’s exhibit table indicated it — and its sister company, ExacTech — are looking for workers with skills ranging from welders and computer numerical control burn table operators to a brake press operator.

Kristen Sommer, the company’s marketing communications manager, said there is a challenge to find workers with specific skills.

“They type of worker we’re looking for is such a niche market, it can be a little bit difficult,” she said.

Tim Sullivan, former president and CEO of Bucyrus International Inc. and a special consultant for business and workforce development for the state of Wisconsin, said the state and industry need to pursue a number of different options to help alleviate the shortage.

He recently completed a report on the matter for Gov. Scott Walker.

Options range from implementing real-time labor market software that would link open job positions with people seeking those jobs, to state funding of job training programs and encouraging legal international immigration.

“The two countries in the world that have the least problems with the skills gap are Canada and Australia,” he said. “You know why? They have good immigration laws. They are recruiting people to come to their countries that are required for the skill set.”

This is the second year for the conference and it focused on innovation and addressing the skills shortage. Event organizers brought in more than 100 high school students to see the job opportunities available in the manufacturing sector.

“So they can see first-hand there are hundreds of companies in our region that manufacture stuff and get a first-hand look at the kinds of things that are made here,” said Ann Franz, strategic partnerships manager with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay. “It’s opening their eyes that manufacturing is alive and well in northeast Wisconsin, and if they are looking to stay in this area, a great career choice could be manufacturing.”

Franz is the coordinator of the NEW Manufacturing Alliance and one of the organizers of the conference.

From business networking to discussions on the issues facing the industry, Franz said this kind of annual event can make a difference.

“You have to start the conversation somewhere,” she said.