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Gov. Evers praises new workforce development certificate, tours academic labs

polingj — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 17:34:14 +0000

Gov. Evers praises new workforce development certificate, tours academic labspolingj March 8, 2024

University ‘should be proud’ of state-aligned training program that supports employees and employers

A new program aimed at supporting workforce development in Wisconsin was praised by Gov. Tony Evers on March 7 when he visited ��.

Evers learned about a first-of-its-kind collaboration that began last fall between the university and state Department of Workforce Development. The university is offering a three-course certificate program, the Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship, for company trainers, with the aim to improve workplace training.

Focused employment and training solutions can lead to new and existing workers building better skills, improving productivity and, ultimately, staying on the job, which has been a challenge for companies facing worker shortages in a strong Wisconsin economy.

Professor Kelly Droege, second from right, talks with Gov. Tony Evers about the Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship during his visit. See full caption below. / ��

The number of workers in Wisconsin ��. 113-year-old apprenticeship program is at a record high. �� . higher education certificate aims to support those trades apprentices with better training — training the trainer — by leveraging university expertise.

“Having that direct connection between the workforce and the universities is so important. It ��. good for the students, good for our economy and, frankly, good for the university,” Evers said. “�� should be proud.”

Enrollment in the certificate program has steadily increased with students from around the state. Tuition is free through 2024, thanks to grant funding.

Evers spoke with certificate founder Professor Kelly Droege, assistant professor in training and development, and Beth Hein, executive director of Educational Pathways and Outreach at ��.

Nolato Contour employees, from left John Eisenmann, Carlene Manske, Lucie Roe and Joe Dravland, are in the workforce training certificate program at ��. / Contributed photo

“This program has been a dream of mine for a long time,” said Droege, a �� alum who returned to teach after working in industry and seeing the need for improved training methods in the workplace. “It fits with Stout ��. polytechnic, applied learning focus.”

Also speaking with Evers were two representatives from manufacturer Nolato Contour of Baldwin, Human Resources Manager April Robelia and training manager John Eisenmann. Several Nolato Contour trainers are enrolled in the certificate program.

“We’ve altered a lot of training because of this program,” Eisenman said. “We’ve already started applying things we’ve learned from the classes.”

The three certificate courses are: Workplace Learning Technologies, Foundations in Talent Development and Managing Organizational Change Initiatives.

Professors David Ding, left, and Yuan Xing, right, and engineering student Michael Witt explain an AI-developed robot to Gov. Evers. / ��

Students in the certificate program, who can start taking the online courses at any time, also can apply their credits toward a bachelor ��. or master ��. degree program at ��. Amy Mustafa, of Springbrook, south of Hayward, is doing just that.

Mustafa works in human resources for Tamarack Health at the Hayward Medical Center. She also is working toward an online bachelor ��. degree in management at ��, with a concentration in human resources. She worked in a bakery for 15 years and has been in human resources for nine.

“It ��. exciting to learn about things that I know I will be able to use daily in my career going forward. The certificate program is a great opportunity for adult learners like myself to work toward being better business leaders,” Mustafa said.

Evers’ tour was led by Chancellor Katherine Frank, along with Provost Glendalí Rodríguez. Frank stressed how the certificate program serves the employee and the employer.

Gov. Evers learns about a packaging/graphic design collaboration with industry from Professor Nagesh Shinde, second from left, and packaging majors Dylan Frey and Greyson Hammer. / ��

Governor learns about more industry collaboration

While on campus, Evers visited several labs in the Applied Arts Building, speaking with students, faculty and staff about new technology, innovative projects and industry collaboration.

In the Digital Process Lab, he saw large-format printers, laser cutters and 3D printers being used by art and design students but also students from engineering, science and human sciences. Lab Manager Zach Kolden told Evers how students are trained to set up and use the equipment for their projects, then take those skills with them into the workplace.

The equipment in the 3,000-square-foot lab mostly has been funded through corporate donations and grants, including from Gordon Flesch Company, Kohler and 3M.

Evers met students Michael Witt, of Port Washington, and Corey Hedlund, of Eau Claire, who have started an AI club on campus. The computer and electrical engineering majors provided a lab demonstration of AI-developed robots, along with engineering professors David Ding and Yuan Xing. Ding serves on the governor ��. AI task force.

Professors Nagesh Shinde, graphic design and interactive media, and Kate Liu, packaging, explained an ongoing cross-collaborative course, thanks to a second $100,000 donation from Great Northern Corp. Students design packaging that Great Northern produces for clients.

“The biggest advantage of this is students get hands-on experience working with real clients,” Shinde told Evers.

At another stop, Evers heard packaging major Olivia Leipnitz, of Menomonie, and food science graduate student Sreeja Gade, of India, explain their research on the environmental impact of different cheese packaging depending on the plastic used. They are advised by Associate Professor Min DeGruson while Assistant Professor Mary Paz Alvarez Valverde assisted with the presentation to Evers.

“This project hopes to pinpoint the consumer perceptions of each of these materials and gauge how best to move forward in the sustainability efforts,” Leipnitz said.

Gade noted that “there is a noteworthy lack of study on consumer views and acceptance of sustainable packaging solutions, particularly for cheddar cheese, a top-selling commodity in the United States. So, this study focuses on shredded cheddar cheese, and we provide consumers with tangible prototypes of various sustainable packaging choices to assess their desire to switch to more environmentally friendly options.”

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Photo caption

Professor Kelly Droege, second from right, of �� talks with Gov. Tony Evers about the Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship during Evers’ visit March 7 to campus. Also at right are John Eisenmann, of Nolato Contour in Baldwin, who is in the program; and Chancellor Katherine Frank.

A new program aimed at supporting workforce development in Wisconsin was praised by Gov. Tony Evers on March 7 when he visited ��. Evers visit 3

University Marketing

Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship

Elevate your team's expertise with proven on-the-job training strategies.

Dr. Kelly Droege

Full Name: Dr. Kelly Droege

Job Title: Assistant Professor / Program Director

Include in Directory: Yes

Area of Expertise: Training and Human Resource Development

College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: School of Management Operations & Management Department

Program

All Degree Programs

Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Kelly Droege CV (183.46 KB)

Education:

CSTEMM

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Include in Directory: Off

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Wisconsin Apprenticeship partners with �� on new program

polingj — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 17:56:31 +0000

Wisconsin Apprenticeship partners with �� on new programpolingj December 18, 2023

Certificate allows students to apply coursework toward apprenticeship or college degree

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced a new program Monday, Dec. 18, in partnership with ��:

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the University of Wisconsin-Stout (��) are partnering on a first-of-its-kind program in Wisconsin to combine instruction at a four-year college with a Registered Apprenticeship program. The new Workforce Development Specialist Certificate program, also known as the Train the Trainer apprenticeship, started this fall to teach students about employment and training solutions that meet the needs of businesses and workers.

�� is the first four-year university collaborating with Wisconsin Apprenticeship since apprenticeship began in 1911 to offer classes that fulfill instruction requirements for a Registered Apprenticeship and could be credited toward an undergraduate or graduate degree program. The three-class online program teaches students ways to design, develop, implement, and evaluate training and development solutions.

Amy Pechacek, DWD secretary / DWD

"Wisconsin apprenticeship provides access to the training needed to pursue the high-quality, family-supporting jobs our residents need to be successful, and we are excited to partner with �� on this new opportunity," DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said. "This is an example of how Wisconsin Apprenticeship applies innovation to meet workforce needs after more than a century."

�� Chancellor Katherine Frank said this apprenticeship aligns with the university ��. tenets of applied learning, career-focused education, and collaboration with business and industry, all with an aim to support state workforce development.

“As Wisconsin ��. ��, �� leads the way in building new partnerships with business and industry and identifying flexible pathways for students to both contribute to and build capacity within Wisconsin ��. workforce,” Chancellor Frank said. “The Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship program provides students with a direct pathway to bachelor's and master's degree program options and produces experts to help support professional development and advancement in the workforce."

"Apprenticeship continues its leadership as a proven and time-tested solution to meet the needs of employers and people seeking good jobs," said David Polk, Director of the Wisconsin Apprenticeship. "While traditional apprenticeship programs continue to grow, many other industries are finding value in apprenticeships."

Kelly Droege, �� assistant professor, director of the Master of Science in training and talent development / ��

�� Assistant Professor Dr. Kelly Droege, Director of the Master of Science Training and Talent Development program, noted the differences between traditional apprenticeships, which combine related instruction and on-the-job training in a formal skilled trades program, and this one.

"This apprenticeship moves beyond the trades. It may be the leading edge of a wave of nontraditional, online programs in which participants earn as they learn. The Workforce Development Specialist apprenticeship will prepare individuals to train and develop the workforce for critical jobs that many businesses across the country are having trouble filling or retaining top talent," Droege said.

About Wisconsin Apprenticeship

Wisconsin's Registered Apprenticeship program is an earn-while-you-learn model that connects apprentices with high-skill, high-wage employment with sponsors across the state. In addition to learning the hands-on skills of the occupation from the sponsoring employer, apprentices gain knowledge specific to the occupation through an area technical college or private training center. A key component of apprenticeship is employment, and there is no apprenticeship without a respective job opening.

Learn more: Workforce Development Specialist program or Wisconsin Apprenticeship

About the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and �� are partnering on a first-of-its-kind program in Wisconsin. Kelly Droege

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