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: February 2, 2017
Southwest Tech will share a $5 Million TechHire Grant
The $1.2 million local share will be spent over the next four years to offer certifications in fiber optic cabling, broadband technologies, and advanced networking at Southwest Tech.
Fennimore, Wisconsin -FENNIMORE, Wis. – Southwest Wisconsin Technical College was awarded part of a $5 million federal Department of Labor TechHire Partnership Grant to be shared with other colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System to prepare young adults for well-paying, high-growth jobs in the advanced manufacturing, information technology, and broadband industries. The $1.2 million local share will be spent over the next four years to offer certifications in fiber optic cabling, broadband technologies, and advanced networking at Southwest Tech.
Announcement of the $150 million in grants to 39 recipients across the country was made over the summer by former Vice President Joe Biden and Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez. Five million was awarded to Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. The three colleges partnered with the Department of Workforce Development, regional employers, and industry representatives to apply for the grant.
Southwest Tech will focus on education and training in broadband, automation, and technology which were identified as priorities for their five-county district. “Through hands-on training our students will elevate their skills to fill high demand, high paying jobs in Southwest Wisconsin,” stated Craig Woodhouse, Tech Hire Grant Case and Project Manager. Among the employers who wrote letters of support and are in need of people trained in this field are Richland Grant Telephone Cooperative, Schreiber Foods, Inc., and the Mount Horeb Telephone Company.
Woodhouse went on to say, “Fiber Optic communication systems are quickly becoming an important part of our infrastructure. Southwest Tech is thrilled to be offering nationally recognized certifications in fiber optic cabling, broadband technologies, and advanced networking.”
Fiber Optic Technician certification classes will be offered starting this spring.
For more information on how to support the certifications being offered, please contact Craig Woodhouse, Tech Hire Grant Case and Project Manager by phone at 608.822.2371 or by e-mail at cwoodhouse@swtc.edu..
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