Western Technical College receives job training grant

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a nearly $2 million grant to Western Technical College in La Crosse as part of the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative.

Western will use the funding to increase the skill level in manufacturing occupations by implementing K-12 initiatives and adult training programs. The proposed activities will focus specifically on Welding, Machine Tool/CNC and Electronic Maintenance careers. There will also be additional training in Lean Manufacturing as well as a new Leadership in Manufacturing certificate aimed at supervisors and managers in manufacturing environments.

“We chose these areas because industry leaders in our region have asked us repeatedly for this training and support,” says Patti Balacek, director of Western’s Business and Industry Services Division. “This is an opportunity to make a coordinated effort to sustain the manufacturing sector in Western Wisconsin. It is a leading driver in our region’s economy and its deterioration would have a significant effect on the broader region as a whole.”

A total of $123 million was awarded to 68 community colleges and community-based institutions by the U.S. Department of Labor in an effort to prepare workers to take advantage of new and increasing job opportunities in high-growth, high-demand and economically vital sectors of the American economy. Western is one of only three colleges in Wisconsin chosen to receive grant funding, and the only one to focus on advanced manufacturing.

“This grant is the result of tremendous community support,” says Balacek. “We couldn’t have qualified without the partnerships between Western, Workforce Connections, the K-12 school districts and the business community.”

The grant will be managed through Western’s Business and Industry Services division, which specializes in customized training aimed at increasing productivity and profitability through employee skill development. For more information about Western Technical College programs and services for business and industry, call (608) 785.9232 or visit the Web site at westerntc.edu

Renovation for historic Mineral Point Opera House

Madison-based Strang Inc. has been selected to renovate the historic Mineral Point Opera House. Improvements to the 1915 structure include HVAC and ADA upgrades, exterior masonry repairs and decorative plaster restoration and repair.

The 18,000 square foot Mineral Point Municipal Building, built in 1915, consists of the Opera House, public library and city hall. The Opera House currently features films, live music, dance and theatrical presentations. It is also the home for the Shakerag Players and the Mineral Point Film Society.

The town is on the National Register of Historic Places and was named as a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2007. The Mineral Point Opera House Restoration Committee is coordinating the project, which is funded with grants from the Jeffris Foundation, The City of Mineral Point, anonymous donor and community contributions. The renovation is scheduled to be complete in spring 2010.

MOVERS

>> Steven Bechtolt has joined Wisconsin Community Bank in Monroe as vice president – mortgage loan originator.

>> Knupp & Watson in Madison has promoted Sara Oakley to art director and Joan Herzing to digital marketing strategist.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Madison: The Madison International Trade Association is celebrating 30 years of providing a networking and educational venue for Wisconsin’s international companies this month. Organizations from around the state are members of MITA. >> Badger Career Network Alerts, an online service designed to connect mid-career to executive UW-Madison alumni with companies that are hiring, has concluded a successful pilot phase focused on the healthcare, biotechnology and IT sectors and is advancing into beta testing. When fully scaled up, the new system will enable companies in the Madison Region, throughout Wisconsin, and nationwide to alert qualified UW alumni candidates to specific position postings. A full launch is planned later in 2009, and the service will open to all interested companies. It is a joint project of the Wisconsin Alumni Association and Thrive, the economic development enterprise serving the eight-county Madison Region.