For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: August 20, 2019
Ribbon cut for new outreach site location in Richland Center
Fennimore -The ribbon was cut for the new location of the Southwest Tech Outreach Site in Richland Center on Aug. 20. A crowd of community dignitaries, students, supporters and Southwest Tech faculty and staff attended the event. The new location is 373 West Sixth Street at the corner of Orange and Sixth streets. The facility is named the Workforce Development Center of Richland County, which offers a variety of educational opportunities to Richland Center and the surrounding communities.
“We’re very excited for the opportunities that the additional space will bring,” said Dr. Jason Wood, Southwest Tech president. “Richland Center is very important to Southwest Tech, in that, this is one of our largest sites to serve adult basic ed students and GED students.”
“One of our highest priorities as we’re moving forward in our five-county region is how we can help those students in adult basic ed transition into college and find programs that lead to careers,” added Wood.
The new location features two educational classrooms. The newest room is the Business and Industry Training Center. This room is designed for technical and industrial training.
“For people who are wondering and are starting their second career this is a place to go ahead and start,” said Mike Kaufman, Richland Center mayor. “I just am amazed at the wonderful programs that Southwest Tech is offering.”
Esther Sensenig earned a GED from Southwest Tech. She gave her testimonial during Wednesday’s event. “Growing up I never thought I’d go to college, but after talking to Cindy (Rasmussen) she really inspired me and thought I could do it.”
Sensenig continued her education and earned a technical certificate in childcare services last year. “I just want to say to anyone who’s considering getting your GED, HSED or starting classes at Southwest Tech, don’t be afraid to take the first step and don’t be afraid to pursue your goals because there’s people there who are always helpful and they’re there for you, and if I can do it, anyone can.”
Upcoming courses include Group Dynamics, Leadership Academy – Change Management, Leadership Academy – Creating Work Teams, and others. Cindy Rasmussen and Janna Drier serve as basic education adjunct instructors at the site.
“This idea has been in the back of my mind for about five years, trying to find a place where we can do what we’ve done for a long time in the community, which is provide comprehensive, wrap-around services for all learners,” said Craig Woodhouse, regional engagement coordinator. “This facility is not exclusive to anyone and we serve people who want to learn, no matter at what point they are in their careers or in their educational path.”
The new location also features an expanded Adult Education Room. This room can accommodate up to 20 learners at a time. Featured educational opportunities include exam prep, GED, HSED, ELL and literacy skills. The instructors customize teaching to meet individual needs. Both of these rooms feature interactive smart TVs and modern video conferencing systems.
In addition to Southwest Tech, partners located in the building include UMOS (United Migrant Opportunity Services), W2, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act). “We work closely with our state and federal agency partners to make sure that all of our students’ and clients’ needs are met,” added Woodhouse.
More information about the outreach site is available at www.swtc.edu/outreach.