The Morse Group’s partnership with Blackhawk Technical College goes beyond a simple transaction—it helps to shape workplace culture and extends its impact throughout the community.
The Morse Group, an electrical contracting firm with Midwest operations based in Beloit, has long supported local initiatives that develop youth, strengthen families, and connect veterans with needed resources. Its partnership with Blackhawk began during the COVID-19 pandemic through shared involvement in the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance (SMA).
Today, employees from The Morse Group receive training at Blackhawk’s Beloit-Janesville Campus. Some training focuses on manufacturing skills, while other sessions help employees develop leadership abilities. A few Blackhawk students also gain hands-on experience working directly at The Morse Group.
“I was aware of the programs at Blackhawk, but the SMA is where I became more aware of the structure. I think we picked up an intern back then, and I learned more about how the earn-and-learn programs worked and the way the flexible schedules were structured for students to be able to go to school and work to get practical experience at the same time,” said Shawn Sullivan, President of The Morse Group.
“It's turned into a bit of a talent pipeline for us, which is good, but really the biggest value that I see is the culture impact to our organization–the amount of pride with our different employees that really enjoy mentoring. It just creates a really positive culture,” Sullivan said. “You help these students and teach them, and they're making a difference in somebody's life. And there's a lot that goes along with that.”
Leadership training
“We've got—development-wise for existing employees—some of the leadership things that Blackhawk offers,” Sullivan said. The leadership training isn’t required, he explained, but it’s for anyone in the organization who would benefit from it based on their career path.
He shared one recent example: “I got an email about the leadership development and passed it along to a supervisor for a couple of the lead panel wiremen and said ‘Send anybody that you want to,’” he said.
Sullivan said the connection works both ways. Sometimes Blackhawk staff refer students from programs like Automation Systems Technology because they know enough about The Morse Group to see a good fit. There are also employees who start with the company through an apprenticeship and later enroll at Blackhawk to earn an associate degree.
“We've got a student–well, an employee now–that is getting ready to start a [Blackhawk] program,” he said. “We put him through a job shadow. He worked in the panel shop for a while. I gave him the options. You know, you can go get a bachelor's degree in engineering and go this route. You can go into the apprenticeship and be an electrician. Or you can go to work in the panel shop and go to Blackhawk and get this associate degree. There are a lot of different ways to work in the organization. And he recently chose to go that route. So, he starts at Blackhawk in the fall,” Sullivan said.
Impact of SMA
As a member of the SMA, The Morse Group is also involved in supporting a talent pipeline for manufacturing jobs in the area.
“We're involved in all of them: Craftsman with Character, AIM, Rock Internship, Rock Externship. I think Craftsman with Character was the first one that we did, because they launched it at Beloit Memorial,” Sullivan said. “It just kind of grew from there. And I tell this story a lot. You know, I kind of started pushing our organization to do more of this with the mindset of giving back to the community.”
Blackhawk’s Workforce Development Manager Colleen Koerth said, “The Morse Group is a trusted partner in manufacturing, working with Blackhawk on everything from earn-and-learn programs to leadership development. As an active member of the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance, they’re dedicated to building a strong talent pipeline and supporting the future of the industry. Their ongoing involvement shows a genuine commitment to workforce development and community growth.”
Sullivan, who recently became a co-chair of SMA, explained that, while he expected some talent pipeline development, one vital benefit is helping students find the best career path.
“Really helping students find their way. Expose them to things. Because when I went to school, I had no idea about the industry that I'm in right now. So, it gives them some exposure,” he said. “A lot of kids have come through here, and I always tell those guys that if they come and look, see what we do and realize they don't like it, that's still a win. We still showed them something, and now they know that that's not necessarily what they're interested in,” he said.
“SMA does a nice job of bringing the business and education community together,” he added.
About The Morse Group
The Morse Group began as Morse Electric, Inc. in 1944. Over the years, it grew through strategic investment in technology and personnel to become one of the top 50 electrical contracting firms in the United States with permanent offices in four states and project operations nationwide.
Then, Automation Solutions of America, or ASA, was added. ASA optimizes manufacturing processes by designing, manufacturing, assembling, integrating, validating and installing custom machinery, controls, software and more for its clients. But that wasn’t enough.
Next, The Rockwell Group was added to the mix. This company was established to meet the growing need of commercial and industrial customers seeking steel stud framing, drywall hanging and finishing, acoustical ceilings, plastering and painting
Today, The Morse Group family of companies unifies specialty project development, engineering, construction, and automation services under one comprehensive umbrella. The company’s headquarters is in Freeport, Illinois, and it houses its Midwest Operations in Beloit, Wisconsin.