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Workforce Talent Resources

Workforce & Community Development is a strong partner in supporting business and industry talent development efforts to grow and maintain an skilled and available workforce.

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Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships combine classroom learning and on-the-job training. Apprenticeship students learn a portion of their skills at Blackhawk and receive hands-on training while working for an employer. There are several benefits to apprenticeships, including a paycheck, hands-on career training, education, career, and national industry certification. 

In order to start an apprenticeship, you must be employed in the field of the apprenticeship you're interested in.

Students giving the thumbs up in the courtyard

Apprenticeship Programs at Blackhawk

Our apprenticeship programs are designed for determined problem solvers. If you’re mechanically minded with an eye for detail, Blackhawk Technical College offers the following competitive apprenticeships:

  • Industrial Electrician Apprenticeship
  • Machinist Apprentice
  • Maintenance Technician Apprentice
  • Mechatronics Apprentice
  • HVAC

The following companies have offered manufacturing apprenticeships in the Rock County area: Badger State Ethanol, Baker Manufacturing, Bell Laboratories, Emmi Roth, Fairbanks Morse MPC, Faith Engineering, Frito Lay, Grande Cheese, Klondike Cheese Company, Latitude Corp, Madison Kipp, Inc. (Novares), MPI Products, Pratt Industries, Scot Forge, and Seneca Foods.

  • Electricity Apprentice (JAC)
  • Electricity Apprentice (ABC)

Additional information about construction apprenticeship opportunities in Wisconsin may be found at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 890 (Construction Electrician) or Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin (Construction, including Carpentry, Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, and Glazing). 

Every apprenticeship is different, from the application process to the length of your training program. In order to start an apprenticeship, you must be employed in the trade. You must work with your employer to become a registered apprentice through the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards.

After completing the entrance requirements and passing the required exam for your chosen trade or occupation, you will become a registered apprentice. Then, you can enroll in an apprenticeship program at Blackhawk.

It’s important to know financial aid is not available for apprenticeship programs. However, your paycheck as an apprentice is guaranteed by Wisconsin law and will increase as your skill level increases.

Veterans may apply GI Bill benefits to apprenticeship training. For more information, contact your local county Veterans Service Officer or Veterans Benefits Administration at (888) 442-4551.

Stateline Manufacturing Alliance

The Stateline Manufacturing Alliance (SMA) is a group of manufacturing employers, and partner organizations, that are focused on creating greater exposure, engagement and interest in manufacturing jobs and careers for youth and adults alike. The SMA serves as a regional catalyst for talent recruitment and development in the fields of advanced manufacturing through collective efforts, work-based learning programs, initiatives, and partnerships.

Connect with Blackhawk Students

Finding the right talent isn’t easy – even for companies spending thousands (or millions) on college recruitment. That’s why our Workforce Development team is determined to close the gap between our students and the nation’s top employers with services and events designed to help you meet and build fruitful relationships with BTC’s next wave of well-trained grads. View details below for current opportunities.

Students Outside

View Details for Current Opportunities

Blackhawk uses Handshake as its jobs and internships platform. This online recruitment tool makes it easy to share job/internship opportunities with students and alumni from all 16 Wisconsin technical colleges all at once. 

Is your organization interested in developing an internship? Please contact our Internship Specialist for an individualized consultation regarding your employment needs.

While you can offer an internship anytime throughout the year, ideal recruitment timeframes include:
  • Fall Internships (September-December): Recruit April through August
  • Spring Internships (January-May): Recruit September through December
  • Summer Internships (June-August): Recruit January through May

Internship program benefits include: finding future employees, test-driving talent, enhancing perspectives (interns bring fresh ideas and new talent), and contributing to developing a skilled workforce. 

Employers can get involved in a variety of ways including: hosting a student intern, joining an advisory committee, holding on-campus interviews, sponsoring a company tour, setting up information tours, etc. 

Host a Micro-Internship?

Regardless of your role, industry, or organization size, students and alumni from Blackhawk Technical College can help. If you want to expand your recruiting pool to access diverse talent with 21st-century skills and the grit to succeed, Micro-Internships make it easy. If you want to improve the effectiveness of your hiring efforts and lower the costs (and risks) associated with onboarding, no problem. If you just need some immediate help on projects because you or your team is overloaded, we’ve got you covered.

Give students the chance to observe your business in action with job shadowing. We’ll help you arrange a temporary, unpaid shadowing experience that exposes interested students to “a day in the life” of your industry’s leading occupations and helps you promote your organization’s culture, mission and opportunities.

Nothing complements a resume like a handshake. Starting your recruitment efforts on our campuses is easy. We’ll help you meet and greet students in the way that works best for you, from reserving a table in our busy commons area to setting up a quiet conversation space for one-on-one interviews.

Each year, Blackhawk career fairs host more than 75 employers and draw hundreds of students and area job seekers. Our Workforce Development team can help you register for the event and provide the information you need to plan and promote your recruitment space effectively.

CareerCruising.com helps employers offer K-12 students career-focused experiences that include job shadowing, speaking engagements, tours and more.

JobCenterOfWisconsin.com provides a full array of employment and training-related services for workers, youth and businesses.

JobsInRockCounty.com is an online talent recruitment and career matchmaking tool serving the employers and communities of Rock County and South Central Wisconsin.

InspireRockCounty.org is a web-based career prep platform that works to bring together Rock County students, educators and area businesses.

Amazon Career Choice

Blackhawk has lifted the workforce in Rock and Green counties for decades, and whether you’re beginning your college journey or finishing a degree you’ve already started, we know what it takes to help you meet your goals while holding down a job.

As an Amazon Career Choice School Partner, Blackhawk and our degrees are more accessible than ever to Amazon employees in just three steps.

As part of the program, Amazon provides support for tuition, fees and course materials up to an annual maximum.

Questions? Please call (608) 758-6900 or email info@blackhawk.edu.

Warehouse worker

From in-person to online to evenings or weekend classes, we strive to provide flexible education in a supportive environment. Choose from over 60 academic offerings.

Once you’ve decided what to study, use the Blackhawk application to easily apply.

Once you've been admitted to Blackhawk, use the portal (linked below) to generate your payment request to pay for classes. For questions on the payment request, please call (608) 757-7763 or email receivables@blackhawk.edu.

Payment requests can be emailed to receivables@blackhawk.edu or turned into the Registration Office at 6004 S. County Road, Janesville, WI 53547.

Questions?

Contact Colleen Koerth, Workforce and Community Development, at (608) 743-4597 or ckoerth@blackhawk.edu to learn how your business can partner on talent development and retention programs to keep you business thriving.