Did you know that according to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 1.7 percent of electricians in the United States are women? In honor of International Women’s Day, read about how Jenny Conrardy, an MPTC electrical apprentice, is sparking change in the trades.

In 2021, Conrrardy began working at Current Electric in Wauwatosa. Soon after she started, Conrardy proved herself a hardworking, dedicated employee and was selected for an apprenticeship to gain electrical training at Moraine Park. She specializes in photovoltaic energy.

“It’s not a secret that trade careers offer high-paying, reliable jobs, and women deserve to have high-paying jobs,” Gus Boyle Gustavus, Moraine Park electricity instructor, said. “My observations have been that many women tend to still believe that trade workplaces are rough and unaccepting. I have been working in male-dominated occupations my entire life and have always had colleagues who want to see me be successful and pave the way for other women.”

Through her apprenticeship, Conrardy earns a wage while she attends her classes, and her employer pays tuition and book expenses. She attends class one full day every other week, making it easier to maintain income and learn at the same time.

“The trades are a great fit for any person who loves to work with their hands and problem solve,” Conrardy said. “The trades have historically been a white, male-dominated industry, but I think there is a lot of room and willingness in the industry to open that demographic right now. Not just for women, but also for people of color and the LGBTQ community. I encourage people to take that first step, don’t let anyone say no and keep moving forward.” 

Conrardy will complete her apprenticeship and earn her journeyworker’s license in 2025. She is the only woman in her class. 

“It’s important for our youth to understand different types of professions available and for our young female students to actually see that women play an active role in trades-related occupations,” Bobbi Fields, Moraine Park dean of applied technology and trades, said. “When kids see someone who they can relate to being successful in a career, it increases the likelihood that they could dream of working in that profession someday.”

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.

This election season, residents of the Moraine Park Technical College District will vote on a referendum authorizing the College to expand facilities- targeting high-demand areas through the following projects:

• Advanced Manufacturing and Trades enhancements

• Manufacturing, Automation and Robotics Lab expansion

• Fire Training Facility (new construction)

• Health and Human Services Facility enhancement

It’s no secret, ballot language is complex. To help you be prepared for Nov. 8–here’s what you can expect to see and what it means for you.

What You’ll See:

Shall the Moraine Park Technical College District, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds or promissory notes in an amount not to exceed $55,000,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of capital expenditures for the purchase or construction of buildings, building additions, remodeling and improvements, site improvements, the acquisition of sites, and the purchase of fixed and other equipment at District locations, including, but not limited to, advanced manufacturing facilities at the Fond du Lac and West Bend Campuses, a health and human services facility at the Fond du Lac Campus, and a regional fire training facility?

What It Means:

Moraine Park is seeking taxpayer approval to borrow $55 million.

The total project costs cannot be more than $55M.

This translates to an estimated tax increase of $1.75 per month or $21 per year for every 100,000 of property value.

This increase is temporary and will last for no more than 20 years.

Why is a referendum necessary to fund the projects?

By state law, the amount of money Moraine Park can spend on new buildings, additions, or land acquisition without going to voters is limited to $1.5 million per campus every two years. Any new buildings, additions, or land acquisition beyond the cap (not funded through gifts, grants, or federal funds) must be approved by voters in a public referendum. 

Similar to your local school district, our funding is a combination of local property taxes, state aid, and some federal dollars. Also, like schools, technical colleges are required to seek voter approval through a referendum to pay for major building projects.  

Our mill rate (which is used to calculate a technical college’s portion of property tax bills) has been declining in recent years.

In addition, we have never used a referendum to pay for facility projects. Therefore, we do not have any referendum debt.  

Our proposed projects are too large to be funded from our annual capital budget. 

Have questions? We will respond directly at morainepark.edu/future.

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 hosted a Criminal Justice Exploration event for local high schoolers today, Oct. 6, at the Fond du Lac campus. Students from Fond du Lac, Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Oakfield, North Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, Manitowoc Lutheran, Germantown, and Slinger were in attendance.

“Criminal Justice is a broad service field with a vast number of career pathways for students to explore,” Latisha Spence-Brookens, Moraine Park associate dean of human services, said. “The purpose of the event is to bring awareness to the career opportunities that students can pursue right here within the Moraine Park District with the hope we will be the educational option of choice. In addition, partnering with local agencies sets the stage for the recruitment of local talent, while putting a face to professionals that have committed to seeing the industry progress through relationship building, education, and community involvement.”

The College partnered with criminal justice agencies and departments throughout Moraine Park’s district to provide various hands-on demonstrations for students including a WRAP restraint technique, taser deployment and removal, drone surveillance technology, a K9 apprehension, and more.

“The success of today’s event is a tribute to the strong partnership that exists between Moraine Park Technical College and the many agencies who participated today,” Barb Jascor, Moraine Park dean of health and human services, said.

Jason Walters, Criminal Justice and U.S. History teacher at Fond du Lac High School, attended the event with his students.

“I think this is a beneficial event for everyone involved,” Walters said. “There is a workforce shortage in all areas, including criminal justice. Many of my students have gone on to pursue careers in this field, and an event like this breaks down barriers and allows students a chance to see first-hand all the different opportunities and points of entry into the field.”

Stephanie Martinez, a junior at Fond du Lac High School, tried on riot gear and spoke with Officer Leisure from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections about the tactical unit team.

“I came today because I wanted to learn more about the career field and to see what was out there,” Martinez said. “I had no idea there were so many options, and it was really interesting to try on all of the equipment and see the demonstrations up close. Learning about the tactical unit and how they work in hostage situations opened my eyes to all the different opportunities in criminal justice.”

Participating agencies included the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, Fond du Lac Police Department, North Fond du Lac Police Department, Oakfield Police Department, Ripon Police Department, Waupun Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Department of Corrections–Taycheedah and Dodge County corrections institutions, and Washington County Probation and Parole.

Learn more about Moraine Park’s Criminal Justice program at morainepark.edu/academics/programs/criminal-justice/.

View more photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAa1GX.

Moraine Park Technical College hosted a Community Forum on Sept. 15 regarding the College’s referendum in the November election. The forum took place both virtually and on the College’s Fond du Lac campus.

The Moraine Park Technical College District Board passed a resolution in June stating an intent to borrow $55 million to enhance campus learning spaces to meet future student and regional workforce needs through four projects across Moraine Park campuses and communities. In August, the Board approved the final ballot language, allowing the College to move forward with a referendum in the November election. Under state law, technical colleges must hold referendums before completing capital projects with a cost of more than $1.5 million.

Moraine Park’s Community Forums are an opportunity for the public to ask questions and learn more about the referendum. Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald presented about the referendum, and the forum ended with a Q&A. 

“Education is the key to economic growth in any community,” President Baerwald said. “Workforce growth is what will change our community. As a tech college, we are the change agents–a referendum is a way to make change and growth happen at a time when technology and automation is influencing industry so rapidly.”

The College will soon host Community Forums on the Beaver Dam and West Bend campuses. See the dates below.

• West Bend – September 26, 11:45 – 12:45 p.m.; 2151 N. Main St.
• Beaver Dam – October 3, 9 – 10 a.m.; 700 Gould St.

Learn more about the referendum at morainepark.edu/future.

Moraine Park introduced a new Financial and Insurance Services Specialist associate degree program this fall 2022 semester. The program is a unique opportunity at Moraine Park that focuses on both finance and insurance.

“This program is a great starting point for students who want to explore careers in the fields of insurance or finance. The program is designed to help learners continue their education beyond their Associate degree,” Deb Clarke, Moraine Park associate dean of business and IT, said. 

The program prepares students to obtain industry-recognized credentials required within the financial and insurance industries, including the Series 6, Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS), and insurance. Students will also gain an understanding of regulatory standards related to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), lending practices, client relationship management, marketing and brand management with cutting-edge technology, and insurance lines.

“We wanted to provide our graduates a broad knowledge base to efficiently and collaboratively work across specialized teams,” Bobbi Fields, Moraine Park dean of applied technology and trades, said. “Locally, there are numerous jobs available across our entire district, with anticipated growth of at least 9 percent over the next 10 years, but this is only a snapshot of opportunities available. Our graduates may also wish to pursue the many remote and virtual options available to graduates of the program.”

Graduates of this program will be prepared to help clients navigate the complex and evolving worlds of finance and insurance. They may find employment as a certified financial planner, customer service representative, financial advisor, insurance sales agent, loan processor, personal banker, and more.

Learn more about the program at morainepark.edu/academics/programs/financial-and-insurance-services-specialist/.

The Moraine Park Technical College District Board voted to approve the final ballot language Wednesday, allowing the College to move forward with a $55 million referendum in the November election. 

The referendum would allow Moraine Park to borrow funds to update and expand Moraine Park facilities to meet the needs of business and industry in the region through four major projects between 2022 and 2025. 

• Advanced Manufacturing and Trades – Fond du Lac County – Enhancement 
• Manufacturing, Automation and Robotics Lab – Washington County – Expansion 
• Fire Training Facility – Location TBD – New Construction 
• Health and Human Services Facility – Fond du Lac County – Enhancement 

“Education is the key to economic growth in any community,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “Workforce growth is what will change our community, and as a technical college, we are the change agents. This referendum is vital to making change and growth happen at a time when technology and automation are influencing industry so rapidly.”  

Moraine Park intends to update and expand facilities to: 

• Respond to the growing workforce shortages.  
• Accommodate evolving industry expectations.  

• Address evolving technology, including in the areas of automation and robotics.  
• Provide greater access to all district communities.  
• Align with community expectations and workforce training requirements.  
• Prepare students and workforces of the future.  

The funding request by MPTC is spread out across the four major district counties, making the financial impact per taxpayer minimal; the adjustments are not permanent, making the impact a temporary adjustment for taxpayers. Under the proposed $55 million facilities enhancement plan, annual property taxes would increase by .21 cents per $1,000 of property value or $21 per $100,000 of property value ($1.75 per month) for no more than 20 years.  

“We need to invest in this kind of growth either way,” Jim Eden, Moraine Park vice president of teaching and learning, said. “If a referendum passes, we will accelerate Moraine Park’s ability to grow by about 15 years. If it does not, it will take the College 15 years to catch up.”  

Under state law, technical colleges must hold referendums before completing capital projects with a cost of more than $1.5 million. The referendum must earn a majority vote across all four major district counties, which include Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Washington. 

For more information on this project, visit morainepark.edu/future. 

Moraine Park Technical College and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh signed an articulation agreement today allowing students pursuing Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) liberal arts degrees to seamlessly transfer from Moraine Park and continue their education at UW Oshkosh with confirmed junior status.

The agreement was signed by Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald and UW Oshkosh Chancellor Andy Leavitt today, Aug. 12 at Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus.

“This agreement represents only the latest of many collaborations between UW Oshkosh and MPTC,” UW Oshkosh Chancellor Andy Leavitt said. “It is another example of our long-term and ongoing partnership with the Wisconsin Technical College System, the Northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance (NEW ERA) and MPTC. In effect, it strengthens our relationship with MPTC and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to enhancing opportunities and access to higher education for citizens of northeast Wisconsin and, specifically, those in Fond du Lac.”

Moraine Park will offer AA and AS liberal arts degrees beginning this fall.

“The agreement demystifies transfer and creates a smoother transition from the technical college to the university by guaranteeing that not only certain courses transfer but also that they count toward the university’s general education requirements,” Leavitt said. “This helps students complete their bachelor’s degree in a timely manner. And it, ultimately, helps us in our critical efforts to raise the level of educational attainment in the region.”

The agreement between Moraine Park and UW Oshkosh is Moraine Park’s second AA and AS degree partnership. Earlier this year, the College signed an articulation agreement with Lakeland University. College leaders will continue to add partnerships with other local universities, giving district students more options and control when it comes to their education and making the future transfer process easier and more streamlined.

“By starting an education at Moraine Park, students can get their general studies completed for a fraction of the cost, with smaller class sizes, extensive student support, and guaranteed transfer credits to one of our partner schools,” Dr. Fred Rice, associate vice president of academics at Moraine Park, said. “The College currently offers a wide variety of Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degrees, Technical Diplomas, and career pathway certificate opportunities. Adding the liberal arts degree programs will provide a more robust slate of offerings to Moraine Park students and will also help guide those who are unclear as to their occupational path to achieve an associate degree that is transferable to a 4-year university.”

Individuals interested in exploring this opportunity at Moraine Park are encouraged to start conversations early by connecting with admissions@morainepark.edu.

View more photos of the event at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA2KP3.