Moraine Park Technical College has reallocated a portion of its Non-Traditional Occupations (NTO) grant to be used to benefit high school classrooms and encourage students to explore non-traditional career options. Non-traditional occupations are defined as careers that currently employ 25% or less of one gender.  

Previously, these grant dollars were used to help recruit college-aged students into programs that qualified as NTO. This change will allow high school teachers to partner with Moraine Park to promote NTO and encourage more students to explore these career opportunities in a high school dual credit class.  

“The goal with this change is to showcase these career options to students earlier,” Sally Ruback, enrollment communication and student recruitment manager at Moraine Park, said. “By directing these grant dollars to our district high schools, we can partner with teachers to promote both dual credit classes and NTO. This will be done through classroom presentations in areas such as math, English, science, and business.”  

Students who participate in dual credit classes also have the opportunity of earning college credit. High schools within Moraine Park’s district are eligible to participate in this grant program. Currently, partnerships are being formed to help influence the NTO exploration of skilled trade, health care, and early childhood occupations.  

“Many of the programs that qualify as NTO also have a high demand for skilled workers in the field,” Ruback said. “Our goal is to help fill those gaps in our local industries, and we can help do this by partnering with our high schools to expose students to these careers. There is also a significant benefit to students who choose to take college credit classes in high school. This opportunity helps to develop life skills to be more self-sufficient and well-rounded adults.”  

Currently, the College has 12 classes from nine area schools that will receive funding for NTO dual credit classes next fall. Each class will receive $1,000.  

“The grant money will go directly into the teacher’s classes to enhance the learning environment,” Ruback said. “This program provides reimbursement toward the purchase of materials, supplies, textbooks, software applications, or equipment for the dual credit class. Our NTO partnerships will directly benefit the students in our district, which is extremely exciting.”    

Moraine Park’s district schools that are interested in exploring dual credit options should connect with the K-12 Department at k12@morainepark.edu.   

For more information on dual credit, visit morainepark.edu/k-12.

For many high school graduates, it’s four-year university or bust. This was the mindset that Moraine Park Technical College nursing student Jonathan Szczesny had as he considered his college career. He had his sights set on a UW System school, but after realizing the opportunities and financial practicality of Moraine Park, his mind was changed.

Enrolling at a technical college meant that he could not only earn his degree faster, but immediately enter the workforce and even work toward other degrees and certifications while working in the field he loves: Nursing.

“I chose to pursue an education in nursing because I believe it is a rewarding career in that I can help maintain a patient’s dignity in their time of need, as well as provide them with the highest quality of care,” Szczesny said. “I also considered that this career choice is in high demand with immense opportunities to grow and explore related disciplines.”

Szczesny recently completed his first core semester on the Dean’s List and is accepted into the nursing program at Moraine Park’s Beaver Dam campus. Following graduation, Szczesny plans to work in the field as an RN, immediately return to school and earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and possibly pursue a career with the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps.

Like so many high school students, a trade school education was not on Szczesny’s radar. However, between the cost savings, small class sizes and dedicated staff, he encourages students to consider a technical college.

“A technical college is a great choice for both new high school graduates and working individuals looking to advance themselves in the workforce,” Szczesny said.

With acceptance into the core nursing program under his belt, Szczesny is ready to take on the remainder of his educational career at Moraine Park by storm and urges high school students preparing for college to not immediately discredit a small technical school.

“It is important to give schools like Moraine Park their fair shake and maintain an open mind about the benefits that they have to offer,” he said. “Think of the big picture when choosing a school for post-secondary education… Your schooling is what you make of it. What you put in is what you will get out.”

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day coming up on March 8, here’s 10 interesting (and, sometimes frustrating) facts about women in today’s workforce. Take a look!

Also, if you’re a female curious about career options outside of “the norm” … smile.  We’ve got an event coming up just for you! Our unique Jane of All Trades event is March 7! You can come in and explore 10 higher-paying careers traditionally seen as fields for men. Click here for all the details.  We hope to see you there! Continue reading

What does it take to fix a leaky dog kennel?  Seven Fond du Lac area ladies found out recently during Moraine Park Technical College’s Project Impact.  The Humane Society of Fond du Lac had small, broken dog kennels with rotted and leaky drain troughs. These had become so bad that staff couldn’t use them for anything other than storing blankets and supplies. Four manufacturing programs at Moraine Park got together to show several area women how to plan, design, build, and install new troughs in this collaboration of community and instruction.

Moraine Park’s Project Impact was also recently featured on one of WBAY’s news broadcast, showcasing the work our instructor Larry Clark and the students put into the project.
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Every year people make a list of resolutions for the new year of things they want to accomplish. This year, I will eat better; this year, I will hit the gym more; this year, I will become a better person, etc.  Well, here at Moraine Park, one of our goals is to help better the community.  How you ask?  Well, with your help of course!

“This is a judgment free way to try out several possible careers in manufacturing, and get the perspective of women who went through the programs and/or work in the field.” – Jennifer James, Process Engineering Student

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Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) is doing our part to help increase the number of females in IT with our Girls Make IT Happen, #ITgirls event on June 26 through June 29. The event will feature one day in each of the following IT disciplines: IT Tech Support and IT Network, Graphic Communications, IT Web Developer, and IT Mobile Apps and will run from 1-4 pm each day. The event is geared towards young women entering grades 9-12 this fall interested in exploring IT careers. Continue reading

Today is Equal Pay Day, a day that is still on the calendar because despite the 148 years of fighting for equal pay and despite a 54 year old law, women are still paid on average 20% less than men doing the same position. Why mark this occasion in April?  Because that is how long it would take a woman to earn what a man earned the year prior. What’s worse, if you are a woman AND a minority it would take you even longer (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). Continue reading