(Washington, DC)— Today Congresswoman Gwen Moore announced that the Milwaukee Area Technical College has been selected to receive a highly competitive Community-Based Job Training grant in the amount of $2 million from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for the purpose of innovative workforce development.  MATC plans to use the federal funding in a number of ways, including the establishment of new educational infrastructures to strengthen the technical curriculum starting at the K-12 level, the implementation of a career coaching system for high school students, and the development of the curriculum for the new Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing at the Oak Creek Campus.  As part of these initiatives, partner companies will be asked to help design these training vehicles, and also to make a commitment to hire successful trainees.

“With this funding, DOL has recognized that MATC is doing much more than just providing technical skills and training.  MATC supports its students through every level of the learning process, equipping them with the elements necessary for obtaining jobs in the well-paying, highly-skilled manufacturing profession,” said Congresswoman Moore. “I am proud to have lent them a hand during the application process, because MATC is such a deserving and critically important institution for our area.”

“This is an important step toward redeveloping Milwaukee's skilled labor force,” said MATC President Darnell E. Cole.  “We look forward to working with all the consortium partners, employers especially.”

The grant will enable MATC to build upon some of its current initiatives, addressing the projected worker shortages expected to occur in the manufacturing industry.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth and replacement needs will create nearly 56 million job openings nationally in the manufacturing industry between 2002 and 2012.  More specifically, Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development predicts that in Milwaukee 88 percent of the region’s production manufacturing workers will need to be replaced due to retirements.  Students and workers who receive training at MATC will become qualified applicants for many well-paid, high-skilled jobs, allowing the manufacturing industry to maintain production levels, implement productivity improvements, and begin quality enhancing initiatives.

In addition to the $2 million grant from DOL, MATC has received financial commitments totaling $3.1 million from Milwaukee area businesses and organizations.  These key partners include:  Bucyrus International, P&H Mining Equipment, Eaton Corporation, Ladish Co., Rexnord, National Technologies, Rockwell, Milwaukee County Labor Council, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the Private Industry Council of Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Job Service Veterans Office, Milwaukee Public Schools, the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee University, and the United Migrant Opportunity Service.

The largest technical college in the state, MATC is a key driver of the economy in southeastern Wisconsin, offering 200 degrees, diplomas, certificates and apprenticeships, as well as nearly 400 transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees.  MATC boasts a large pre-college program that enables people to complete high school and prepare for higher learning.  Additionally, the Office of Corporate Learning provides customized training to incumbent workers.  More than 53,000 students per year take advantage of the college’s four campuses, numerous evening centers and community-based sites, and online learning.

###

For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact Ashley Glacel at 202-225-4572.

Home Page | Press List