Partnerships build strong workforce

I have always believed that together, we can achieve more.
 
Developing business partnerships has become a cornerstone for Gateway’s growth and we believe in the growth of the companies we work with. Partnering companies such as SC Johnson, Modine,  XTen, InSinkErator and Snap-on hold a strong brand – and speak to the quality of the relationship we have forged with them.
 
All partnerships must mutually benefit both parties. Gateway offers high-quality, customized training designed to meet the unique skill sets of a diverse community of employers. With the increased demand for skilled workers, it becomes more important than ever that companies begin to develop their talent pipeline. The economy will not wait for the workforce to catch up. Together, we can help train the next generation of workers for local employers, but we must seek business partnerships to ensure the quality and skills match the job needs.
 
If your company is finding it a challenge to find qualified employees I encourage you to call me at (262) 496-4592 to see what a Gateway partnership can do to help. Our economic strength is dependent on a highly trained and competitive workforce. 
 
Respectfully,
 
Bryan Albrecht

Gateway expands
Dr. King celebration

Gateway Technical College has expanded its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration for 2014 with events added to the traditional day-of commemoration.
Events for the 20th anniversary of the event include:

• A gospel concert 4 p.m. Jan. 18 at Carthage College featuring the Chicago Mass Choir and local artists. Admission is free, but the audience needs to preregister at gtc.edu/mlkchoir.
• The traditional Dr. King celebration noon Jan. 20 held at the Madrigrano Auditorium of the Conference Center on the Kenosha Campus, headlined by actor Gregg Riley, who gives in-character Dr. King speeches.
• Education summit discussing programs and opportunities focused on minority student success, 2 p.m. Jan. 20, also held at the Madrigrano Auditorium of the Conference Center on the Kenosha Campus.

Secretary of Labor visits
innovative Gateway center

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez visited Gateway Technical College’s SC Johnson integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Center (iMET) December 4 as part of a Midwest stop to see the innovative information technology training delivered to students by Gateway and other technical colleges. His trip’s focus was to highlight the recent $23.1 million federal grant to expand training in this area for unemployed workers.

Gateway is receiving $1.2 million as part of the grant program’s statewide investment in IT career pathways. Students who engage in the grant-funded programs will receive training and skills area employers seek, making those graduates eligible for in-demand job positions in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Gateway president testifies
to House as expert

Gateway Technical College President Bryan Albrecht was one of four national technical education and workforce training experts to testify before the U.S. Committee on Education and the Workforce at a hearing focused on improving the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.
 
Albrecht outlined the need and success technical colleges have in preparing students for careers through strong partnerships forged with area businesses. He outlined several innovative partnerships Gateway has developed with industry as examples of how the effort benefits students and area communities.

Gateway recognizes
Graduates at fall ceremony

Gateway Technical College recognized 457 prospective graduates at its Dec. 19 graduation ceremony held at Indian Trail High School auditorium in Kenosha.

About 200 graduates attended the fall commencement ceremony keynoted by Kenosha physician AJ Capelli. Heather Bennett, graduate in Gateway’s Human Service program, provided the student response for the ceremony.

Susan Greenfield sworn in
as newest board member

Susan Greenfield, Racine, was sworn in Dec. 12 as the newest member of the Gateway Technical College District Board of Trustees.
 
She replaces Jenny Trick, who did not seek reappointment to the board. Greenfield’s seat is a three-year appointment which ends June 30, 2016.
 
Greenfield also serves as the executive director of the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network in Racine.

Gateway gains accreditation,
first technical college to do so

Gateway students will benefit educationally as well as gain an edge on other applicants for potential jobs because of a recent national accreditation given to the college.
 
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Associate Degree Board of Commissioners awarded Gateway initial accreditation of its business programs, the first technical college to do so in Wisconsin.
 
The accreditation means Gateway programs, curriculum and staff members meet the rigorous standards set by the ACBSP, and put learning opportunities on par with four-year colleges in Wisconsin and throughout the nation. It is the first of Wisconsin’s technical colleges to achieve this accreditation.

Law Enforcement academy
graduates 22

Gateway Technical College’s Law Enforcement Academy recognized 22 graduates at a Dec. 17 ceremony, many of whom will enter into law enforcement positions at area agencies.
 
Cody Smith received the Highest Academic Award for this graduating class, Amelia Newman the Second Highest Academic Honors and Daniel Macari the Top Gun Award. David H. Perlman, assistant Attorney General, was the keynote for the ceremony, held at the Madigrano Auditorium in the Conference Center at Gateway’s Kenosha Campus.

CNC boot campers
complete program

A total of 20 students completed Gateway’s most recent CNC boot camp, an intense, 14-week program providing them with the training on the essentials of computer numerical control (CNC) operation.
 
A completion ceremony was held Dec. 6 at the SC Johnson integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Center. In addition to skills gained through training, the boot camp also provides students with the opportunity to receive industry-recognized certifications and credentials.
 
Gateway Technical College, offers the training in partnership with area Workforce Development Centers and with the generous support of SC Johnson. They provide a way for unemployed and underemployed workers to gain the skills needed to enter the workforce for in-demand careers, as well as provide area manufacturers with skilled workers to help grow their business.
 

Ten benefit from
welding boot camp

Ten students completed Gateway’s welding/fabrication boot camp which held its completion ceremony Dec. 13.
 
Nine of the completers were from Racine, one from Kenosha. The boot camp provides an intense, hands-on means of teaching students the welding skills they need to enter the workforce. Five of the 10 students achieved D1 certification, a designation endorsed by the American Welding Society and sought after by employers.
 
Gateway Technical College, offers the welding/fabrication training in partnership with area Workforce Development Centers and with the generous support of SC Johnson. They provide a way for unemployed and underemployed workers to gain the skills to enter the workforce for in-demand careers, as well as provide area manufacturers with skilled workers to help grow their business.

Conference provides training
for horticulture industry professionals

Honey bee basics, “hunting” plants and growing customer loyalty will be a few topics to be presented at Gateway Technical College’s 22^nd Annual WinterGreen conference, to be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. January 31, 2014.

Many have attended the annual event, held in the Madrigrano Auditorium in the Conference Center on Gateway’s Kenosha Campus, which brings together top speakers and industry officials to provide training and resources to landscape, flower and other horticulture-related industries. In addition, many members of the public attend each year.

Presenters include Randy Chase, Racine Beekeeping Club; Marshall Dirks, marketing director of Proven Winners, The #1 Plant Brand in America; John Gishnock, of Formecology LLC: A Sustainable Landscape Design, Build Firm; and Deb Schmidt, customer service, sales and service consultant.

Gateway holds inaugural
cooking competition

The culinary team of Angela Anderson (West Allis), Robyn Eisen (Trevor) and Rolando Gomez (Racine) won Gateway Technical College’s inaugural cooking competition modeled after the show “Chopped.”

The three beat out three other teams at the competition held in the SC Johnson Student Life Center area of Gateway’ Racine Campus on Dec. 4.

Students were given a basket of food containing 2.5 pounds of pork loin, 1 pound of ground turkey, two persimmons, jicama, saki and chervil, from which they had to prepare a meal. They did not know what was in the basket ahead of time – they found out at 11:15 a.m. and teams had an hour and 15 minutes to plan and prepare a meal. The event causes students to use all the skills they’ve gained at Gateway in a fun, competitive atmosphere.