In an effort to help combat the skilled worker shortage, Moraine Park Technical College offers Manufacturing Skills Academy Boot Camps–a unique opportunity to gain entry-level skills. The two boot camps–Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and Welding–are tuition-free, 3-month long programs.

In addition to skill development, the boot camps include a 144-hour paid internship to get hands-on experience that ideally turns into a full-time job opportunity. Moraine Park partners with businesses all over their district area to offer paid internships to the students in the program. Wabash National has been a valued partner since the boot camp’s induction in 2012.

“The need for welders at Wabash is constant,” Nate Glancer, HR business partner at Wabash National, said. “We are working against a talent pool that has been shrinking steadily over the past decade. People that have been with us for 40-plus years are retiring, and as they are leaving, we are having a tough time filling those spots. Welders are a main component of what we do here; making up about 70 percent of our workforce, which is why this boot camp program is so vital to us.”

Since 2012, the boot camp programs have had over 400 participants. One of those participants, Elise Winkel, found life-changing success after completing the welding boot camp in 2019.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and taking several art classes, Winkel, a stay-at-home mom of four girls, thought the welding boot camp would be a good fit for her.

“Welding is very much an art, and you have to be able to work well with both hands a the same time,” Winkel said. “The boot camp was a little out of my comfort zone, and I was the only woman in my class, but I felt comfortable with the gradual pace of the program, and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

Winkel completed her internship at Wabash and stayed on full-time after the boot camp’s completion as an inside seam welder. Because of this career change, Winkel and her husband decided to have another child and bought a home together.

“About 93% of our boot camp graduates found jobs,” Kelli Karpinski, MPTC economic workforce development business development manager, said. “The best part is that these once unskilled manufacturing participants start out making $23/hr or more, and more often than not, they advance very quickly.”

The boot camps are free for participants, thanks to financial support from community resource partners and the Workforce and Training (WAT) grants.

To learn more about Moraine Park’s Manufacturing Skills Academy Boot Camps, contact bootcamps@morainepark.edu.

In celebration of Manufacturing Month this October, learn about how Moraine Park Technical College plans to advance its Manufacturing programs through two proposed projects in the College’s referendum. Residents of Moraine Park’s district will vote on the referendum Nov. 8; authorizing the College to utilize up to $55 million to grow and expand facilities. The updates and improvements would target programs in high demand that impact citizens across the region in the career areas of public safety, health care, robotics/automation, manufacturing and technology.

Advanced Manufacturing and Trades – Fond du Lac

More than 14,000 manufacturing job openings are expected in the Moraine Park region in the next 10 years. As a result, many employers are using robots and automation to design, build and deliver goods. The demand for customized training partnerships has also grown significantly. Moraine Park’s advanced manufacturing and trade spaces are utilized by mechanical design, quality and advanced manufacturing, electromechanical technology programs, and short-term credentials and apprenticeships. As the programs and industry demand have grown, the learning spaces have become too small to effectively address the needs of business and industry partners that utilize Moraine Park.

“The automation, innovation and robotics project at the Moraine Park Fond du Lac Campus is really important when I think about the path that we’re going down,” Andres Gonzales, vice president of human resources at Mercury Marine, said. “How we manufacture today is different than how we manufactured a year ago. Robotics are only going to become more important. We are really partnering and relying on MPTC to help us make sure that we have a strong workforce that is up to date with the latest in technology and knows how to run robotics on the different types of machines that we have.”

The enhancement of Moraine Park’s manufacturing and trades wing on the Fond du Lac Campus will create classrooms and specialized labs to address local workforce shortages and provide enhanced spaces for instruction in software training, programming, product design, manufacturing and robotics. Additionally, this enhancement will support the infrastructure of Fond du Lac’s Automation, Innovation and Robotics (AIR) Center project, funded by the generosity of donors.

Estimated project cost: $13.7 million

Manufacturing, Automation and Robotics Lab – West Bend

Employers in the Moraine Park region are using robots and automation to design, build and deliver goods. However, Moraine Park’s advanced manufacturing and trade spaces at the West Bend Campus are too small and unconnected, creating inefficiencies. Through community conversations, employers and K-12 administrators have asked Moraine Park to expand courses in this area.

The expansion of Moraine Park’s West Bend Campus facilities will add a Manufacturing, Automation and Robotics Lab to support advanced manufacturing, welding, metal fabrication and robotics for apprenticeships, degree programs and job training.

“Moraine Park’s West Bend Campus expansion directly impacts our students and our schools,” Jen Wimmer, superintendent of the West Bend School District, said. “Our students will have an opportunity to earn credits and skills in automation, innovation and robotics. The field of manufacturing has evolved, and this expansion will ensure that our students are learning modern manufacturing skills. It is an experience that can not be replicated in our high school environment.”

The expansion would add seven new manufacturing programs to the West Bend Campus including electromechanical technology, mechanical design, quality advanced manufacturing and fabrication, and apprenticeships as new programs. Additionally, the welding program in Jackson would move to the West Bend Campus, enhancing campus culture among the advanced manufacturing program students. These new programs will help to fill the job growth gap over the next ten years and will offer hands-on training facilities for use by the district high schools.

Estimated project cost: $18.5 million

Learn more about Moraine Park’s referendum at morainepark.edu/future.

Moraine Park Mechanical Design Technology Instructor, Kim Olson, has been involved in several international presentations for Formlabs, a 3D printing manufacturer.

Earlier this spring, Olson presented for Formlabs about Injection Mold Design. There were 1100 registrants and over 360 live attendants from all around the world. 

In June, he gave his second presentation titled Considerations for Injection Molding with 3D Printed Molds vs. Metal Molds. There were over 300 attendees.

In both of these presentations, there were 90-minute Q&A portions where attendees could ask Olson direct questions about his work and 3D printed molds.

His most recent presentation was last week, Oct. 26-27, for the Formlabs Global User Summit. He was one of 40 presenters from countries all around the world.

“There is additive manufacturing and there is subtractive manufacturing,” Olson said. “Think of subtractive manufacturing as carving away at clay. You keep taking clay away until you’ve created something. Additive manufacturing is creating something by building up from nothing. That’s where Formlabs and 3D printing comes in.”

Olson has been teaching at Moraine Park’s West Bend campus for the past 25 years. Some of his classes include AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Jig and Fixture Design, Tool Design and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance. 

Before bringing his expertise to Moraine Park, Olson designed zinc cast dies for an automotive lock manufacturer in Milwaukee for 15 years.

Over the last 3-4 years he’s gained a significant amount of experience using Formlabs with Moraine Park students.

“We’re all passionate about what we do,” Olson said. “The satisfying part comes when we get the opportunity to share what we do with others.”

For more information on Moraine Park’s Mechanical Design Technology program, visit https://www.morainepark.edu/academics/programs/mechanical-design-technology/.

Educational partners from throughout West Bend came together on Oct. 12, to host U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin on the Moraine Park Technical College campus in West Bend. 

The visit featured stories on the partnerships between Moraine Park, the West Bend School District and the Kettle Moraine YMCA. The three community partners work to educate students and families from before primary school through graduation from college—all focused on meeting community workforce needs.  

“West Bend has deep roots as an educationally rich, collaborative community—with many educational touchpoints dedicated to efforts that build and grow the regional and state workforce,” Peter Rettler, dean of Moraine Park’s West Bend campus, said. 

During her visit, Baldwin participated in a roundtable meeting with students, faculty and teachers, administrators, industry partners and education supporters. The visit highlighted the facilities and people who educate the future workforce in West Bend, Washington County and beyond.  

“The needs surrounding education are continuously evolving and we have to plan for the future,” Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald said. “It’s important Senator Baldwin not only sees the important work we are all doing now, but also understands the needs we will face in the future as we work to help influence the future workforce.” 

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/

A brand is worthless if it does not connect with the right audience in a responsive and relevant way was one takeaway at the Moraine Park Technical College Economic and Workforce Development’s Business Forum help on Friday, October 18, 2019 at the Fond du Lac campus.

A panel of business professionals shared their expertise on “Digital Recruitment” bringing experience from a diverse range of industries including construction, trucking and manufacturing. Sarah Pantol, HR Director at FLASH, shared her experience with using various platforms to develop relations, stay relevant and be responsive to candidates. She uses a variety of platforms, website landing pages and videos to engage her target audience to stay relevant and speed up the recruitment process.

Mercedes Tucker, Digital Marketing Coordinator at C.D. Smith Construction, Inc., spoke to the importance of spending more time focused on your culture then strategy. She utilizes employee brand ambassadors to promote open positions to their networks.

Jeff Kennedy, Labor Relations Manager at John Deere – Horicon Works spoke to his 3 step approach of researching perceptions, utilizing agency support to manage digital marketing and then restructuring roles to best serve their employees.  Jeff wanted to reduce the number of touch points and interviews a candidate had to do as part of the process so he consolidated skills assessments and automated communication.

There were over 30 attendees representing a broad range of industries from non-profit to manufacturing that are all faced with challenges finding workforce to fill open positions and no longer finding as much success with traditional recruitment practices. During the event, the participants shared best practices during table breakout sessions and had the opportunity to ask questions during the panel presentations.

“MPTC business forums are a great way for a busy professional to get a compact and high value dose of useful information and professional connecting” shared one attendee.

Mark your calendars to save the date for the next Business Networking Forum scheduled on Friday, May 1, 2020 from 8:00 – 10:30 am on the Moraine Park Fond du Lac campus.

Questions can be directed to training@morainepark.edu or 920-924-3449

Moraine Park Technical College will host their Heavy Metal Tours event during October’s manufacturing month. This free event offers participants a behind-the-scenes opportunity to tour local manufacturing facilities and learn more about the skills needed to fill current employment gaps.

The events will run from 4:30-8:00 p.m. Participants will meet at the Fond du Lac campus, and after a brief introduction, they will be bussed to the Heavy Metal Tour event locations.

Tours will take place at the following Fond du Lac area manufacturers. A light meal will be served.

• Wednesday, October 2, Kondex Corporation
• Thursday, October 10, Fives Group and RB Royal Industries, Inc.
• Wednesday, October 16, Wells Manufacturing Corporation and Mid-States Aluminum Corp.
• Wednesday, October 23, BCI Burke Co. and Mercury Marine

“The manufacturing world is changing,” Marcia Arndt associate dean of manufacturing at Moraine Park said. “This is a fun opportunity to highlight our local partners, the advancing technology, and the overall changes within the industry. 

Space is limited for this unique opportunity, and registration is required. Interested individuals are invited to participate in all four weeks, or they may choose their preferred date(s). For more information, or to register, visit morainepark.edu/heavymetal or call (262) 306-5321.

Do you remember when manufacturing jobs were known as dark and dangerous? Moraine Park’s CNC/Tool and Die instructor, Jim Hokenson, has been working to eliminate that myth. He has a mission not only to train workers for this career field but also to re-educate the community on the realities of the industry.

“The truth is, our local manufacturers have clean factories with state-of-the-art equipment, “Jim said. “They provide a steady career with great benefits and an even better income.”

There’s no denying the importance of manufacturing in our world today, and for those that are gravitating towards this industry, it is all in the numbers.

“There will always be a need for a good tool and die specialist,” Jim said. “Once you have the manufacturing skill sets, you will find that there are jobs available all over Wisconsin.”

Jim has been with the College for 20-years and is also a Moraine Park alumni. During his time, he has worked hard to become established in the community, specifically with educating our youth on the manufacturing career options.

“The earlier we can introduce options, the better,” Jim said. “I think it’s important that we identify and build upon skills.”

His 2019 class has 17 second-year students, all of whom will be graduating with their two-year technical diploma. Most were hired in the industry before graduating and there are many more jobs to fill.

“It seems that we can’t teach them fast enough,” Jim said. “The employers we work with know the value of educating students with the essential real-world skills. We try to work alongside both the companies and students to find a good fit all around. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to teach and influence our local workforce.”

morainepark.edu

If at first, you find success, keep looking for new ways to grow! Moraine Park alumnus and current student, Cory Bennett of Beaver Dam, has been doing just that.

After graduating from Beaver Dam High School in 1999, Cory found employment and began to build his life.

“I’ve always succeeded in school, but didn’t consider continuing my education right after high school,” Cory said. “I found success in my employment, but eventually I wanted more for myself.”

In 2010, Cory began his mechanical design technology degree at Moraine Park. It didn’t take him long to adapt to college life and soon he was a member of the student senate and Phi Thea Kappa, a 2-year college high honors program. He was also a part of the National Community College Aerospace Scholarship Program, an elite group of students who were given the opportunity to participate in research, space rover robotic design, and mock missions. In fact, of the 6,000 applicants, only 200 were chosen nationwide.

“This opportunity was a result of my membership with Phi Theta Kappa,” he said. “The aerospace certificate is just one of the many opportunities that came as a result of my time at Moraine Park.”

There’s no denying that Cory worked hard at the College, and that was noticed by not only his instructors but also by a local employer, Wells Vehicle Electronics in Fond du Lac. Cory had uploaded his resume to Wisconsin Tech Connect, a statewide online employment tool for students and graduates of the Wisconsin Technical College System. It didn’t take long for Wells to find Cory’s resume, and he secured a job two months before graduation. When he graduated from Moraine Park in 2014, he was ready to work.

“I’m very fortunate to be at Wells,” Cory said. “I started working in product design and advanced to automation when I came back to Moraine Park in 2016.”

As a returning student, Cory understood the skills he needed to advance in his career, and that Moraine Park has the tools to help build them. This December he will graduate with his associate degree in electromechanical technology.

“I appreciate that Moraine Park teaches the skills that are needed to succeed in the field,” he said. “The classes are flexible, and they provide useful knowledge that prepares you for life after college.”

It’s clear that Cory sees the value in his education, and he has goals to continue in the future in both the Process Engineering Technology and Quality Assurance programs.

“Moraine Park helps to make the college journey an easy one,” he said. “I know that I will continue to have their support as I grow my career.”