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INSIGHT ON HIGHER EDUC ATION By Nikki Kal l io A century of collaboration Technical colleges celebrate 100 years of training, education and adaptation A have changed, but the basic mission of Wisconsin technical colleges has remained the same. Now, the four technical colleges that serve New North counties are celebrating 100 years in operation, having continued to grow and operate successfully while other public programs have come and gone. "How is that possible?" says Morna who hoped to obtain training that would lead to a good career. The students (and the clothes) hundred years ago, brand new technical colleges in Wisconsin started welcoming fresh-faced, knicker-wearing boys Foy, executive assistant/vice-president of Wisconsin Technical College System. "Ultimately it comes down to the colleges having strong relationships with their communities and that they continue to provide service that the community finds of value. " Way back when In 1911, a time when the economy was transitioning from agricultural to industrial, state legislation launched a publicly funded education "bridge" for young students who were leaving school at age 14 but were not yet prepared for a career. That's why some of the early photos of technical college students show kids with no facial hair. Some of those early students might have taken classes like millinery (hat making) or horseshoeing (not the game). "As technology emerged and evolved at that time, they needed 36 | INSIGHT • October 2012 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College's cosmetology program in the 1930s is one example of how the college and others around the state adapted to the training needs of the community throughout the years. people to know more, and to be able to do more with this equipment and technology, College System is a network of 16 colleges with 48 campuses statewide, and includes Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay and Lakeshore Technical College in Manitowoc. The average age of students is now about 30. of FVTC. "They knew that they needed kids that would continue their school beyond the age of 14 and finish out a few more years." Now, the Wisconsin Technical " says Susan May, president 1912, students came here so they could get 'profitable employment' in their chosen occupation," says Karen Smits, vice president of college advancement at NWTC. "So the first classes were in woodworking, sewing, draſting and bookkeeping, and it was there to help people preparing for occupations, help families live a better life. nation to set up a technical college system, what were called "continuation schools" at the time, Foy says. Technical college districts were created to cover the entire state, and property taxes within those districts (as well as Wisconsin was the first state in the " www. insightonbusiness.com "When we first opened our doors in COURTESY NWTC