Flexible, Customized Training at BTC

That’s what Blackhawk’s Workforce and Community Development (WCD) team regularly hears when it comes to local businesses and training their employees. Fortunately, that is precisely where the Blackhawk WCD team excels.

When WCD learns of a workforce development need, they leap into action to pose creative solutions. For example, WCD teamed up with the College’s Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology & Transportation (MATT) division to rethink how some credit courses were offered. The result was creating one credit, competency-based training modules. These courses are grounded in specific principles and lab-based training while allowing organizations to provide input into the class’s specific outcomes.

Several manufacturers in Rock and Green Counties are now taking advantage of this unique training opportunity. Companies identify staff who need specific skills development in electro-mechanical, welding, diesel repair, and machine tools. These companies send these employees to Blackhawk’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Milton. These employees become BTC students and complete specialized training needed by their employers.

Pictured: Employee at Hormel in action, using the skills on the job, gained from the training partnership with Blackhawk.

This approach to training is growing in popularity. Hormel foods recently engaged with BTC for maintenance training, and they appreciate the flexible, supportive approach to workforce development. 

“BTC is a wonderful education partner, offering flexible, hands-on training options for our employees, building the specific skills we need to develop our workforce at Hormel,” praised Hunter Pagel, HR Manager/Manager of Safety, Security, and Medical.

Flexibility becomes a driver for these employers. Employees no longer have to choose between employment and education. Blackhawk can accommodate student work schedules without requiring them to take a full load. Training is delivered in a flex-lab environment. Meaning, students don’t have to wait for a new semester to get started, and open lab times help students complete hands-on coursework.

BTC is continuously exploring new opportunities to engage with local employers and meet their employee development needs. “BTC is proud to be a one-stop workforce and education partner for Industry, offering flexible training options that build a skilled workforce today and moving forward into the future,” said Colleen Koerth, WCD Workforce Manager.

BTC has served over 60 students representing 14 companies through its flexible education programs in the MATT division. For more information, contact businessdevelopment@blackhawk.edu.

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