We all have goals of living independently and being self-sufficient but often obstacles and challenges get in our way.  After successful participation in a combination of virtual and in person instruction due to Covid,  two students were able to celebrate completion of a 2-year Learning for Independence (LFI) Program, moving them one step closer to meeting their goal of independence. 

Learning for Independence is a cooperative transition program offered in partnership by Fond du Lac Area High Schools and Moraine Park Technical College.  The students ranging in ages from 18- 21 years of age, have a documented disability and are current students at various Fond du Lac County High Schools.  “It is inspiring watching the transformation from the first day our LFI students set foot on the MPTC campus to the completion ceremony two years later! Our students arrive as high school seniors and leave as confident adults with life skills and plans to continue with their present job or pursue new employment or enroll in classes to pursue a certification or degree at technical college. This amazing program would not be possible without the great partnerships of MPTC, Fond du Lac Economic and Workforce Development, the Fond du Lac Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, surrounding Fond du Lac County Schools and the School District of North Fond du Lac!” states Chris Schultz, LFI Program Director.  

 “When students start their LFI experience, they are anxious, excited and ready to embrace the program. During their two years, they meet students from different high schools and become friends quickly.  They start to become a close group and help each other when needed.  Their confidence levels and self-advocacy skills are completely turned around and almost mastered! The skills learned from each class will be ones they will be able to use when out living independently.  At their completion ceremony each student speaks about what they learned, what they liked about the LFI program, and where they see themselves in five years.  This is quite a transformation and all the instructors, people at MPTC, Chris Schultz and myself are so proud of all of them.  We send them out with a job lined up, or already employed, and some have gone on to attend MPTC.”, states Jo Marchionda, LFI Coordinator and Instructor. 

In person classes will be starting again in fall.  For additional information on the LFI program or applications for enrollment, please contact Chris Schultz, School District of North Fond du Lac, at cschultz@nfdlschools.org or call 920-929-3750 ext 6143.

When was the last time you took an Excel course? If you are like most of us you have probably googled a command or two or watched a YouTube video on a specific function when needed. You get the work done, but the experience was uninspiring.  Over the course of a few weeks, you’re lucky if two or three of the new commands or functions you learned make it into your daily routine.  Sound familiar?

Here are some simple Microsoft Excel tricks you can use to be more productive at work.

Select All. This quick keyboard commands can cut your computer task time by seconds, which quickly adds up to minutes and hours.  [Ctrl]+A can be used to select all of the data in your Excel spreadsheet at one time. It also works in Word and other Windows applications.

Display formulas. Not the original author of a spreadsheet than you will find this helpful. When you hit [Ctrl] + ~, all of the formulas in a spreadsheet will be visible, allowing you to edit or tweak them as needed.

Using Quick Analysis. Who doesn’t want to analysis data quickly? Right click inside the table you wish to work with. Select the Quick Analysis button to open the menu. Hover over one of the tabs: Formatting, Charts, Totals, Table or Sparklines to preview the effects. Click on the button to apply the feature.

Moraine Park offers a host of Microsoft Excel classes that can teach you basic and advanced skills, or can be used as refresher training.  Consider what skills would make you more productive. Here are some options: 

Excel Level 1

Excel Level 2

Excel Level 3

If you’re looking to update or improve your Excel skills, please feel free to contact us today for more information on everything we offer!

Chairs spread out across the cafeteria.

Air fives for congratulations.

Alumni and business partner videos.

Masked pictures.

Family and friends attending on zoom.

Individually wrapped “cake”.

The Fall 2020 Welding and CNC Boot Camp completion definitely looked different from the ones MPTC’s Economic and Workforce Development has held before. But then, so did the entire boot camp.

Boot camp is always intense. The phrase, “We call it boot camp for a reason,” gets thrown around often as the normal stresses of learning to be a student again, balancing home and work life, and life hurdles get in the way. This semester the addition of quarantines and resulting virtual attendance and loss of hands on time added to the challenge.

But nine remained and we celebrated your accomplishment the only way we could. EWD wishes the best to our boot camp completers and acknowledges the extra hurdles you overcame, the extra patience you showed, and the extra flexibility it took to make it though.

We’re proud of you and your unique accomplishment.

We hope the unique ceremony showed just how much.

MPTC’s Economic and Workforce Development boot camps have been held continuously since fall of 2012 at little or no charge to students. Recruiting for spring has already begun. If you’re interested in being part of boot camps, or just want to know a little bit more about them, look us up at www.morainepark.edu/bootcamps.

The Learning for Independence (LFI) students, as part of the program at Moraine Park Technical College, like to plan a project that includes giving back to the community. This year 9 students and 3 instructors went to the Fond du Lac Fairgrounds Expo Center to help organize and set up for the Salvation Army Christmas distribution program on Thursday, December 10^th.

The Salvation Army doubled the distribution this year as close to 700 families were seeking assistance for almost 1,800 kids. They helped sort thousands of items, including toys, clothes, books, stuffed animals and more that have been donated to the Christmas distribution programs, like Toys for Tots, the Angel Tree, and Adopt-a-Family. Some students helped to unload big trucks with gifts from businesses in the community. 

The students enjoyed it, were overwhelmed by all of it and were exhausted at the end of the day.  They volunteered on their last day of class before semester break and ended with a positive and giving note.

Learning for Independence is a cooperative transition program offered in partnership by Fond du Lac Area High Schools and Moraine Park Technical College.  The students range from 18- 21 years in age, have a documented need for transition services in education, employment and/or independent living. The students have completed four years of high school and met desired level of academic proficiency for graduation at various Fond du Lac County High Schools.

For additional information on the LFI program or applications for enrollment, please contact Chris Schultz at cschultz@nfdlschools.org or call 920-929-3750, extension 6143.

Last winter, just a few weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic, Brenda was beginning the CNC Boot Camp training through the department of Economic & Workforce Development.  She already had years of manufacturing experience but wanted to upgrade her career in the field of computer operated machining. 

When this training was forced to go virtual, Brenda struggled. But MPTC staff encouraged her to persist and even allowed her to seek an internship outside the region when she was forced to move closer to family. Ultimately, Brenda flourished in this field and earned her Entry-Level CNC Certificate and a job offer by June. Her new employer was impressed with her CNC training and complemented her instructors. 

Brenda says, “I’m glad I stuck with it! And when I was offered a better position last month, they were glad I knew how to run multiple machines; I’m earning more money today than I ever have!” 

Are you interested in getting into a new career in just 3 months like Brenda? What about earning a college level certificate with hands on training and a PAID internship as part of the program? Even better – there is NO TUITION for students! Tuition and materials are covered 100% by a combination of grants and community agency support. No experience necessary and no income limits applied!

Spring Boot Camps are starting soon, so check out the upcoming opportunities to learn more about this amazing program.  Visit morainepark.edu/bootcamps to sign up for an upcoming information session.  

Are you interested in a new career in just 3 months? What about earning a college level certificate with hands on training and a PAID internship as part of the deal? Even better- NO TUITION for students! Tuition and materials are covered 100% by a combination of grants and community agency support. No experience necessary and no income limits applied! Check out upcoming opportunities with Moraine Park’s Manufacturing Boot Camps. We offer 3 month training programs in CNC Machining and in Welding where you can earn an entry level certificate and take part in a paid internship at a local business with the opportunity for it to become a full time job offer when you complete the program.

Unsure what Welding and CNC Machining have to offer? Come check us out at our Test Drive on December 9^th where you can tour the labs, participate in a workshop for CNC or Welding and try your hand at creating a project with the help of our instructors. Participating is FREE and you are not obligated to apply or enroll after. Spaces will be limited due to COVID-19 protocols, so please sign up early.

The first step to enrolling in Boot Camps is attending an Information Session, where you will learn more about Boot Camps and next steps. Information sessions will be held in January 2021 and Boot Camps will run March-June 2021. Boot Camps are a full time program for 3 months and run Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Sign up for an Information session now

Visit www.morainepark.edu/bootcamps to sign up for the Test Drive or for an Information Session to learn more!

We are excited to introduce Dan Zoschke, our new Welding Instructor in the Economic and Workforce Development Department. In his role, Dan works with participants who are learning and crafting their manufacturing and welding skills.  He will also be working with students in our short term manufacturing boot camps as well as support the growth of that program.

Dan came to Moraine Park Technical College from a long career in Manufacturing.  He has worked at Apache Stainless Corporation as a Welder/Fabricator specializing in custom built tanks.  This included Tig welding several different types of metals including Stainless, Hastelloy, Titanium and other high alloy materials.  Dan has also worked at Central Cable Contractors as a Maintenance Welder.  During his time at Central Cable, he had performed high level skilled welding on light and heavy duty equipment in control environments as well as in the field using all welding processes.     

Dan is passionate about manufacturing and is excited to share his skills with current and future business partners as well as boot camp students. 

“I am eager to meet and work with our business partners as well as our boot camp students.  I am looking forward to making a positive impact in the lives of boot camp students.  I am also excited to support the growth of skilled trades within our district as well as promote sustainable careers in manufacturing.”

Interested in learning more about our contracted training, visit
https://www.morainepark.edu/experience-mptc/services/business-industry/

Ready to head out on a new adventure? Have you ever thought about becoming a commercial truck driver? You may ask yourself, what does it take to get the required license to drive a truck? You’ll need to get a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) to practice driving on public roads.

Take the first step towards a new career by enrolling in Moraine Park’s CDL Learner’s Permit Exam Prep class. You will meet face to face with an instructor who will guide you through the requirements to obtain your Commercial Learners Permit in as little as a week. Our 15 hour classroom course will introduce you to the trucking industry, familiarize you with the different written exams, background and medical information, and prepare you to pass the required knowledge exam whether you plan to apply for a CLASS A, B, or C license. Once you are issued a Commercial Learners Permit, you may operate a commercial motor vehicle as indicated on your permit with another person licensed to drive the same type of vehicle.

If you have a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License and an acceptable driving record, Moraine Park Technical College can help you take that first step towards a truck driving career.

Make an investment in your future today. In as little as one week, we can prepare you to pass the knowledge exam.  Get started by enrolling an upcoming class.

Monday – Thursday, June 1 -4, 2020
5:30 p.m. – 9:10 p.m.
Fond du Lac Campus, Room B-128
CRN 10203

Monday – Thursday, September 14-20, 2020
5:30 p.m. – 9:10 p.m.
West Bend Campus, Room T-104
CRN 20328

Monday – Thursday, November 2- 5, 2020
5:30 p.m. – 9:10 p.m.
Fond du Lac Campus, Room B127
CRN 20327

To register, please call 1-800-472-4554. For questions, please contact Laurie at lbarz@morainepark.edu or visit  https://www.morainepark.edu/academics/continuing-education/licensure-and-certificates/ .

Disclaimer: Moraine Park does not provide vehicles to practice on.

Written by: Mindie Boynton, EWD Business Representative

Most business professionals went from primarily working in an office setting to working virtually with less than 24 hours of notice this past week. This required many of us to think creatively, paper-less and connect with co-workers and clients in a new virtual world.  In less than a week, I have had meetings using 6 different software applications and wanted to share my feedback to help businesses during this transition.

1. Zoom

Zoom has been the most user-friendly application for me so far but I did have an account set up prior to quarantine but rarely used it previously. It was quick and easy to download the app to my phone and schedule meetings. There are also live training sessions and video tutorials free on their website. There is a screen share function and also a polling option which can be helpful for teaching or making group decisions. One downfall is that without a paid license account you can only set up meetings or classes for up to 40 minutes but you can have up to 100 participants with a basic (free) account.

2. Skype

Skype for Business is a supported software by my organization and so it is really easy to set up meetings with my colleagues because there is a button right in Microsoft Outlook calendars. I would recommend this for 1:1 meetings rather than larger groups. I have experienced more technical difficulties with audio and video as more people are added to the meeting. Skype also allows for screen sharing and there is a little paper clip for sending files. Other handy features include live subtitling of conversations, and the ability to record chats. Some of the companies I have tried to connect with through Skype do not allow for the download and install of software due to security or bandwidth. There is a free version and app that can be downloaded for up to 50 people group video calls.

3. Facebook Messenger

Facebook messenger is mostly used for one-on-one or group messaging, but it can be used to send images, emoji and video chat. Messenger is a great application for friends, family and any co-workers that you have added as “friends” on Facebook.  This works for quick chats but I have not used this application for scheduled conference calls or meetings. There are concerns regarding privacy issues as with most Facebook applications and that it can drain your phone battery.

4. GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting was developed for hosting business meetings online and works well if you have global clients. It has screen sharing with the ability to take over another person’s machine if they are struggling with information or a presentation. The only thing that is required is the meeting link and access the GoToMeeting software. There are options to host up to 250 attendees so you could host an all-company event or large training/webinar. There is a free plan that allows up to 3 participants to meet for 40 minutes maximum. There are different levels of monthly paid plans available that offer a suite of resources.

5. Google Hangouts

I tried to set up a video conferencing hangout with a teacher to get instruction for an assignment and was unsuccessful. Google Hangouts has a desktop and mobile application that can also be used in a web browser. The Hangouts chat function can be used for up to 150 people but video chat is limited to 10 participants. This is typically good for smaller groups and participants that have Gmail accounts already set up. It is currently free but requires an invitation from someone that is using a Google+. There have been concerns with security and privacy.

6. Microsoft Teams

If your organization has Office 365, then Teams might be a great option.  Teams gives you the option to set up phone calls or video conferences with two to many people.  I’ve used it very successfully this week for individual meetings and group sessions.  The benefits of Teams is that all of your contacts are already there, it’s pretty intuitive to use by clicking on the Calls section and putting in the email address of the person you want to reach.  The downside, they won’t get the call if they aren’t also on Teams.  My suggestion is to send the meeting invitation in Outlook, with the location of the Teams site you want them to go to.  If you have multiple people, you have to invite them all.  If you contact the same people often they will show up in your favorites or frequently contacted list, making those invitations easy.