WCTC awarded $139,968 Career Ready Internship Grant from Great Lakes

PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017) – Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) has been awarded a two-year, $139,968 Career Ready Internship Grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates. An anticipated 63 new paid internships will be created during the 2017-18 academic year.

“Paid internships benefit students, colleges and employers,” said Great Lakes President and CEO Richard D. George. “Students gain meaningful workplace skills and are more likely to earn degrees and use their internship experiences to help secure good jobs upon graduation. Colleges will see increased completion and job placement rates, and employers gain a pipeline to fresh talent. It’s a win-win-win.”

WCTC is one of 16 two-year institutions across Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin that received a combined $2.1 million to create over 1,000 internships. WCTC will collaborate with businesses and nonprofit organizations to provide the greatest number of current and future students with an educational opportunity they might not otherwise have.

“WCTC student interns are in demand because they are highly skilled and ready to work on day one,” said WCTC President Kaylen Betzig. “We look forward to expanding our partnerships with area employers and giving even more students the opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience.” 

WCTC will spend the spring and summer of 2017 on administrative planning, employer outreach, and student recruitment, as well as creating 12 paid internships. The remaining internships will take place in the 2017-18 academic year. The Great Lakes grant period continues through May 2018.