Blackhawk Technical College graduates third industrial maintenance program

JANESVILLE – Seventeen students completed Blackhawk Technical College’s accelerated industrial maintenance program Wednesday, marking the third graduating class of this initiative, which was funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

“There’s so much opportunity right here in our stateline for building a career,” Greg Phillips, dean of manufacturing, apprenticeship, technology and transportation, told the graduates. “My hope is that you have a better understanding of your personal interest and that the AIM program helped you or sparked you to build on your interests.”

In partnership with Blackhawk Technical College and the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance, the accelerated industrial maintenance program has been facilitated through the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, which received a $1.6 million grant through the Development of Workforce Development in 2022 to implement projects that improve the workforce needs in several critical areas, including industrial maintenance.

Designed for high school students or recent high school grads, the four-week summer program is comprised of Blackhawk courses that provide a foundation skillset 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.

Business partners included Stateline Manufacturing Alliance, Mid-States Concrete, Scot Forge, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, The Morse Group, Stoughton Trailers, Kuhn, Charter Next Generation, SSI Technologies, Frito-Lay, Fairbanks Morse Defense and Baker Manufacturing.

The 2024 class included Jaydn Buhmeyer, Julian Huerta, Kaleb Neujahr, Jared Owens and Ryan Thomas from Beloit Turner High School; Blaine Brown, Ty Feibel and Landon Hahn from Clinton High School; Cayden DerHasen from Rock River Charter High School; Angel Escalera, Nolan Hatch, Josue Jimenez, Jordan Shultz, Saul Vargas and Manuel Vargas of Beloit Memorial High School; and Nolyn Miller of South Beloit High School.