TABOR forums planned

Technical college faculty and staff will have an opportunity to voice their opinions on the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), the proposed amendment to Wisconsin's Constitution that would severely restrict the ability of local and state government - including technical colleges - to raise funds necessary to maintain quality services.

Two upcoming forums, planned by the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, will be held at Lakeshore Technical College (1/25/06) and Chippewa Valley Technical College (2/8/06).

Critical skills gap in manufacturing

A series of recent reports and newspaper articles point to a growing workforce problem: the shortage of skilled employees in the nation's manufacturing sector.

According to a recent survey by Deloitte Consulting and the National Association of Manufacturers, 81 percent of respondents are currently facing moderate to severe shortage of qualified workers.

Wisconsin's technical colleges will be a critical element in addressing Wisconsin's skills gap. The programs and training offered by the technical colleges are well connected to current employment trends in the manufacturing sector and elsewhere in the labor market.

Additional collegiate transfer programs on horizon

Facing legislative pressure, the WTCS State Board on November 29, 2005 adopted a series of policy changes that clear the way for all sixteen technical college districts to create additional collegiate transfer programs.

Fee remission; scholarship legislation moving

Two bills affecting prospective WTCS students are moving through the state legislature.