Employers across Rock and Green counties continue to express overwhelming confidence in graduates of Blackhawk Technical College, citing strong skills, workforce readiness and educational quality, according to the latest employer satisfaction survey findings from the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).
At the statewide level, employers responding to the survey reported that:
- 97% were satisfied with technical college graduates' education
- 96% would hire a WTCS graduate again
- 92% would recommend a technical college graduate to other employers
- 97% said their local technical college is important to the success of their business
At Blackhawk, local employers who responded to a separate survey reported:
- 93% were satisfied with graduates' education
- 100% would hire a graduate again
- 92% would recommend graduates to other employers
- 100% said the college is important to their business success
The employer satisfaction findings reinforce results from the WTCS Graduate Outcomes Report, which found that statewide:
- 92% of graduates in the labor force were employed within six months of graduation
- 81% were working in careers related to their education
- Associate degree graduates reported a median annual salary of over $60,000 within six months of graduation
At Blackhawk, graduates responding to a survey shared:
- 96% were employed within six months
- 84% are employed in their field of study
- $58,236 is the median annual salary
- 91% are living and working in Wisconsin
“Our partnerships with area employers help ensure we’re delivering the right skills and opportunities needed for our local workforce,” Blackhawk President Tracy Pierner, Ph.D., said.
Employers Value Workforce-Ready Graduates
The findings reflect the strong partnerships between Blackhawk and employers throughout Rock and Green counties, helping ensure programs align with workforce needs.
Through collaboration with employers, Blackhawk offers training in high-demand fields such as:
- Nursing
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Information Technology
- Welding
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Early Childhood Education
Graduates Stay and Work in Wisconsin
WTCS graduate outcomes data shows that 93% of graduates remain in Wisconsin after completing their education.
At Blackhawk, where the service area borders Illinois, 91% of graduates remain in Wisconsin, helping address workforce needs in:
- Health care
- Manufacturing
- Public safety
- Business
About the Survey
The WTCS employer satisfaction survey measures employer perceptions of graduates' skills, education and workplace readiness. Combined with graduate outcomes data, the results demonstrate the value Wisconsin technical colleges deliver to students, employers and communities across the state.