On July 14, seven students completed the first-ever Accelerated Industrial Maintenance (AIM) program on Blackhawk Technical College’s Monroe campus. 

Funded by a federal grant through the Southwest Workforce Development Board (SWWDB), AIM is part of Wisconsin’s Worker Advancement Initiative, which emphasizes hands-on learning and classroom training to help individuals build skills and advance their careers.

“The Southwest Workforce Development Board is proud to support the AIM program,” said Rhonda Suda, Chief Executive Director of SWWDB. “This initiative, made possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, provides students with a valuable head start by earning college credits at Blackhawk Technical College while building foundational skills in manufacturing. We've seen firsthand how AIM is strengthening the local talent pipeline with increased enrollment and growing interest in manufacturing careers.”

Designed for high school students or recent high school graduates, the four-week summer program consists of Blackhawk courses that provide a foundation skill set for those seeking career opportunities in industrial maintenance and technology. Participants are paid to complete the courses and earn three credits that can be applied to a degree at Blackhawk or other colleges. The program also included career exploration opportunities at local manufacturers.

Thank you to all our partners who made this program possible, including the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance (SMA), Scot Forge, The Morse Group, Stoughton Trailers, Kuhn, Frito-Lay and Fairbanks Morse Defense.

2025 Monroe AIM Class

• Preston Boeck, Monroe High School
• River Hillary, Monroe High School
• Chase Krass, Brodhead High School
• Keagan Mulligan, Monroe High School
• Marvin Paniagua Sanchez, Brodhead High School
• James Wampole, Evansville High School
• Shane Ziolkowski, Monroe High School

A group of 21 AIM program students at Blackhawk’s Beloit-Janesville campus graduated on July 2. The program has run for four years on that campus.