For Immediate Release
Contact: Katie Glass, Executive Director of Marketing/Public Information Officer
Phone: 608.822.2411
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: January 19, 2018
Southwest Tech Could Receive State Funds to Support Workforce Training
Governor’s workforce training plan for $20 million in FY 2019-21 announced
Fennimore, Wisconsin -Last Wednesday, January 17, Wisconsin Technical College System President, Morna K. Foy, joined Governor Walker, Secretary Allen and UW System President Cross for a fly around to Milwaukee Area Technical College, UW-Green Bay, and Northcentral Technical College to announce the Governor’s $20 million workforce training plan for the 2019-21 budget, which includes the Foxconn legislation.
Included in his budget are plans to support the College Head Start program to expand Dual Enrollment course offerings (one year of college in high school). Southwest Tech currently offers dual credit through Youth Options, Course Options, and Transcripted Credit Opportunities. In 2016/2017 high school students in our five-county district earned credit valued at $708,468.73 through Transcripted Credit. There is no cost to the student or high school for students participating in Transcripted Credit courses. “Bringing college opportunities to high school students levels the playing field. Students who may not have otherwise considered going onto college, may do so now that they have already earned college credit,” said Mary Johannesen, Career Prep and Dual Enrollment Coordinator at Southwest Tech.
Also included in the proposal are funds for scholarships to support training and education to address the need to match high demand employers with open positions with the necessary worker credentials. Scholarships would be provided to companies to allocate to their Wisconsin employees or potential employees who need to “up skill” their current credentials to meet the position requirements or to obtain an additional credential to advance to a higher position.
“We are excited about the Governor’s announcement regarding additional funds for workforce training. The additional investment will help us continue to serve the employers in our region by providing qualified graduates for local jobs,” said Southwest Tech President, Dr. Jason Wood.
For more information on the strategic initiatives at Southwest Tech, please contact Katie Glass, Public Information Officer at 608.822.2411 or kglass@swtc.edu.