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“You name it, I’ve had quite a few different jobs,” the 20-year-old said Tuesday as he inspected several welds he’d just made in a Western Technical College class.
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Left to Right State Rep Jennifer Schilling , wisconsin secetary of Workforce Development , and WTC welding instructor JeffCermak watch a student weld . Dick Riniker photo |
He’s also had a few scrapes with the law, which landed him on probation. But thanks to a new program that targets young offenders, Lancour is on the way to becoming a welder — a job that pays $10 to $13 an hour to start.
“It’ll be a big difference,” Lancour said.
Western is providing the customized training under contract with Workforce Connections Inc., which last year received $934,679 in federal money and a $70,000 Wisconsin GROW grant for the program.
Nearly 30 people were trained at Western in welding last year, the first time classes were held.
“Wisconsin really needs welders,” said Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development Roberta Gassman, who visited Western on Tuesday morning. “This program is a great example of what we can accomplish when we pool our resources and work together.”
A local survey by Workforce Connections in 2006 indicated employers were having difficulty filling welding jobs.
Western welding instructor Jeff Cermak said WTC has more than 350 job postings for welders, with typical starting pay of $15 to $16 an hour.
The shortage is expected to worsen as baby boomers retire.
Dislocated workers were added to the classes this year. A dozen students began the seven-week training program May 23, covering topics such as manufacturing math and blueprint reading, and are just starting to weld.
“It’s a real partnership with state funding from the Department of Workforce Development, with some federal support as well,” Gassman said.
“We know how important training is. This is an excellent opportunity, a public partnership with all of us working together to train more welders to grow our economy,” Gassman said. “It’s going to help the employers, it’s going to help the young people and the dislocated workers, and it’s good news for Wisconsin.”
Reid Magney can be reached at (608) 791-8211 or rmagney@lacrossetribune.com.
