Successful Strategies to Address the Skills Gap through a Youth Pipeline Kaylen Betzig President Waukesha County Technical College Mary Baer Vice President, Community Engagement Waukesha County Business Alliance
Waukesha County Business Alliance – Addressing the Skills Gap with WCTC
Who is the Waukesha County Business Alliance? County Chamber of Commerce Advocate, Develop, Network & Promote Strong Manufacturing Alliance Goals set by Manufacturing Executive Council
Goals Address the manufacturing skills gap Stop talking and start doing Work collaboratively Don’t reinvent the wheel
Accomplishments Published top ten technical and employability skills Education Committee & Manufacturing Alliance Collaborative Presentation Representation on local & state committees Led ‘Dream !t Do !t’ collaborative for Southeastern Wisconsin Schools2Skills™ Tours
2010/11: 3 tours, educators & student/parent 2012: 10 Waukesha County schools districts – Over 350 students, educators and parents – Surveys showed a positive change in perception! 2013: 13 schools districts; 15 tours – Over 500 students, educators and parents – Added job and class shadow to program – Program templates created and shared
Schools2Skills™ Tours 2014/15: 14 school districts – Over 550 students – Added tour for ‘Project Lead the Way’ students – National Mfg Day – 15 Middle Schools, 22 tours 2015/16: 12 to 15 possible school districts – Adding skilled trades to tours – 13 Schools2Skills™ tours scheduled – National Mfg Day – 17 Middle Schools; 22 tours!
Schools2Skills™ Tours National Mfg. Day
Schools2Skills™ Tours –Survey Questions I believe I can have a good career in manufacturing. I believe a job in manufacturing is safe. I believe that a career in manufacturing will lead to advancement opportunities for me. I believe manufacturers train their employees. I believe I can earn a good wage in a manufacturing career. I believe there are openings in manufacturing today in Waukesha County. I believe that I will be prepared to work in a manufacturing environment when I graduate from high school.
Schools2Skills™ Tours –Survey Results
Schools2Skills™ Tours –Student Comments I drive by this place every day and had no idea what existed here! I had no idea WCTC offered so many kinds of training for people like me! Touring these manufacturing companies opened my eyes to great opportunities. I changed my mind on my child wanting to go into manufacturing! Thank you!
Schools2Skills™ WCTC Results – 3 Yrs. 1,092 valid data base additions 605 students enrolled in a class at WCTC 123 enrolled into a WCTC program Over 95% of enrollees attended multiple events at WCTC
Top Ten Employability Skills Showing up for work on time, every day, ready to work Communication skills – written, verbal, listening Problem solving – root cause analysis Self-motivated Personal accountability Positive attitude Life-long learner Willingness to do/try new things Need for continuous improvement Team player/ ability to work in teams/collaborate
Top Ten Technical Skills Application of mathematics including algebra, geometry and trigonometry Blue print/schematic reading Computer literacy Read & use a ruler, calipers and measuring devices CAD/CAM/BMI/design software Creativity – understanding methods to be creative and innovative Commitment to safety Mechanically inclined/understand mechanics Basic manufacturing equipment & processes knowledge Basic quality concepts/Six Sigma
Goal Results Address the manufacturing skills gap Stop talking and start doing Work collaboratively Don’t reinvent the wheel
Collaboration is Key! Addressing the skills gap Waukesha County Business Alliance WCTC Manufacturers
Contact Information Questions? Contact Information: Mary Baer Waukesha County Business Alliance
Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Critical Life Skills
Collaboration More than 700 Advisory Committee members Waukesha County School to Work consortium Waukesha County Youth Apprenticeship consortium Key WCTC faculty aligned with high school educators Events to provide career exposure
What is Dual Enrollment Academy?
How it began…
How it works… Two semesters during senior year of high school Co-hort (18 students) Block scheduling format Four hours per day at WCTC (mornings) Afternoon back at high school for core courses hours per week working at employer partner site
DEA Programs Offered Printing and Publishing Tool and Die/CNC Welding/Metal Fabrication Baking and Pastry Production *Information Technology offered as part of pilot in and again in
Career Pathway Curriculum
Machine Tool Operation I and II Machine Tool Theory I and II Industrial Math I and II Blueprint Reading CNC Machining Center Operations CNC Turning Center Operations Programming for CNC Machining Center 22 college credits = 5 ½ high school credits Sample DEA Curriculum Tool and Die/Computer Numerical Control (CNC):
The DEA Brand – Strong Partnerships Eight local industries Waukesha County Business Alliance Thirteen K-12 school districts Parents – students Technical college
DEA Outcomes %program completion rate 83% employment rate for completers $12.39 average starting pay 2.74 average GPA 64% enrolled as continuing students this fall
Student Success
More Student Success
Statewide Recognition
Governor’s State of the State Address in 2014
Lessons Learned and the Future of DEA Secure permanent funding source Individual case management is imperative “Skin in the game” Transportation solutions Return on Investment Continued employer, parent support
Thank you! Link to our presentation: