When considering a career path, many look to the well-known careers that are out front and visual. Maybe this is because a relative, friend, or professional in the field that left a lasting impression. Regardless, when making career decisions we typically go through many processes, and sometimes we even change our paths mid-way.

Water quality technology is a career that is close to my heart. When I was in high school, I was unsure of what I wanted to do. As life unfolded, I found myself working in the field and it became apparent that I needed more education. So, enrolled in college as an adult learner. As time passed in my water quality technology career I found myself responsible for a wide variety of tasks and my education helped me to understand the many technologies and processes. I have been fortunate to have some positions in my career that have given me the opportunity to work locally, nationally, and even overseas. 

We often take for granted water running from our faucets, or in our streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Even more, we rarely think of the skilled tradespeople who are working in water plants, providing safe drinking water for our communities and the environment.

So, why not consider a job in water quality technology? This career is rewarding, sustainable, challenging, and interesting, as well as very important. The most identifiable position is in municipal work, but there are also commercial and private industry positions as well. This career offers many opportunities all over the world. 

So, the next time you take a drink of water from the faucet, take a shower or even flush a toilet, know that someone has made all that possible. Maybe in the future, that someone will be you!

For more information on Moraine Park programs, like water technology, visit morainepark.edu.

Today’s Blog is all about Water Quality Technology, and although the profession is not on everyone’s radar for career choice, maybe it should get a serious look.

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Today as July 2018 disappears into our rear view mirrors, and August approaches quickly, students and teachers around the nation prepare for the upcoming year.

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Evan Kehrmeyer, owner of Kehrmeyer Construction, LLC in Mayville, bends and threads a 1/2” rigid conduit to be installed underground.

“I’m excited to showcase my writing skills in my career, because I learned from Dr. Leichtfuss that good communication leads to career advancement.”

Evan Kehrmeyer, a May 2018 graduate from the Electricity Program at Moraine Park Technical College, never expected to enjoy, much less benefit from taking a writing course. “I assumed the English Composition I course at Moraine Park would be like every other English class I had ever taken,” Kehrmeyer stated. “I was pleasantly surprised to learn so much about writing style, communication in the workplace, the 4 C’s of writing, and how to conduct research.”

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Moraine Park Technical College hosted an open house for their new Energy Education Center, located at the Beaver Dam Campus, on Wednesday, May 9.

Attendees had the opportunity to view and tour the new Energy Education Center, learn about the new Gas Utility program, speak with Moraine Park representatives, and network with community peers.

The event included a brief program, where Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce and Moraine Park Technical College officials, as well as major donors for the project, participated in a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Recently, due to an aging workforce, the demand for gas utility technicians has grown much faster than the supply of skilled workers. Moraine Park Technical College, with help from generous donors, was able to find a solution, the Energy Education Center. Major donors include Alliant Energy, KS Energy Services, Madison Gas and Electric, Michels Corporation, We Energies, and Wisconsin Public Service.

“Michels has a long history of being a leading gas distribution contractor and employer, locally and throughout the country,” said Sean Nicholson, vice president of health, safety, and environment at Michels Corporation. “We are proud to be in a position to support programs that will teach the skills required of the next generation of gas utility technicians. This is important and much-needed work; safe and reliable gas distribution infrastructure is essential to everyday life.”

This fully functioning state-of-the-art gas utility lab will house the Gas Utility Technician program and will serve as a critical pipeline for skilled workers to companies in natural gas, utilities, gas contractors, and propane suppliers over the next decade.

“The Energy Education Center isn’t just another classroom. Inside is a fully functioning gas utility lab and outside is a hands-on Training Neighborhood,” said Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president. “Students in this program will work through real gas utility scenarios in the Training Neighborhood, have access to the latest technology, and undergo thorough training to get them ready for the field.”

Donors contributed a combined total of $325,000 to make the Energy Education Center and the Gas Utility Technician program a possibility.

“We are proud to support Moraine Park Technical College’s efforts to enhance training and skills development for students through the Energy Education Center,” said Vern Peterson, vice president of field operations for We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service. “It is vital for us to have a highly-trained workforce so that we can continue to provide safe and reliable energy to our customers. The addition of the Energy Education Center will help us meet this growing need for many years.”

Reuben Srinivasan, vice president of human resources at Alliant Energy, said “This new program will create the next generation of energy workers. We’re excited about our investment in these students, and we can’t wait to congratulate the first graduating class.”

The first cohort, starting this June, is at full capacity. This means that soon there will be skilled workers to fill the needs of the industry.

Information on the second cohort, set to begin June of 2019, will be available in fall 2018.

For more information on Moraine Park programs and service, visit morainepark.edu.

Moraine Park students in the Electrical Club earn the top three spots in the Industrial Motor Controls category. Pictured left to right: Brandon Schuster of Horicon, second place; Evan Kehrmeyer of Mayville, first place; Nick Freres of Brookfield, third place.

Moraine Park Technical College students from both the CNC Tool and Die and Electricity clubs recently participated in the 2018 Wisconsin SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI.

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Moraine Park Technical College trade apprentice student, Jacob Moody of Kraemer Brothers, earned the first-place gold award in the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) National Craftsmen Championships. The event was held on Thursday, March 22, in Long Beach, CA.

“We are so proud of Jacob and the hard work and passion he has shown in his craft,” said John Mielke, president of ABC of Wisconsin. “He continues a tradition of Wisconsin apprentices performing extremely well on a national stage.”

Moody earned his spot at the national competition when he placed first at the ABC of Wisconsin Skill Competition in January. Moody competed against 200 other trade apprentices from across the country in a series of intense written and practical skill tests.

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

On Friday, March 9, 2018, three Moraine Park students, Vanessa Grimm, Matt Trapp and Genna Borths, visited Miller Electric in Appleton to try out a welding machine that features a new innovative approach in welding technology.

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Are you struggling to figure out your next step? Or searching for a high-demand field with a variety of career paths? If so, here’s three reasons why Moraine Park’s gas utility construction and service program may be the right choice for you:

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