Nine Wisconsin technical colleges are recipients of $5.7 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The award, part of the department’s Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants, will span four years and aims to enhance advanced manufacturing education across the state.
Lakeshore Technical College has been allocated $397,162 primarily to fund the integration of embedded, industry-recognized credentials within advanced manufacturing programs, the development of corresponding learning materials that can save students money compared to buying textbooks, and efforts to reduce equity gaps among students in manufacturing programs. Focus will be placed on Lakeshore’s electronical maintenance, industrial maintenance, and mechatronics programs.
“This grant will help Lakeshore take significant steps forward in preparing students, including those from underrepresented populations, to enter our rapidly evolving manufacturing sector. It is the largest sector in our community and employers need us to develop a skilled workforce,” says Lakeshore President Dr. Paul Carlsen. “We understand they need our graduates to be workforce-ready on day one.”
Western Technical College. La Crosse, is leading the consortium across the state. Other colleges that received funds include Moraine Park ($400,000), Gateway ($300,000), Northwood ($400,000), Chippewa Valley ($400,000), Northcentral ($400,000), Mid-State ($400,000), and Waukesha ($400,000).
This round of the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants provides $65 million to 16 colleges in 14 states to expand their capacity to provide training to meet the skill development needs of employers and help students obtain good jobs. These colleges will work in multiple sectors, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, IT, and infrastructure-related sectors like construction, transportation, broadband expansion, and renewable energy.
This project is 100% funded with a Strengthening Community Colleges Round 4 $5.7 million training grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.
