CLEVELAND, Wis. – The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Board awarded its “Futuremakers Partner” award to Kohler Co. Tuesday evening. The award recognizes the dynamic and enduring partnerships between Wisconsin’s technical colleges and their community and employer partners.
Headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies comprised of more than 34,000 associates with more than 50 manufacturing locations worldwide. The company has a wide-reaching dedication to Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) and the community in which they have operated since 1873.
“Wisconsin’s robust technical college system has been critical to our company’s growth over the last 142 years, both as both a manufacturer of plumbing and power products as well as a provider of world-class hospitality services,” said President and CEO David Kohler. “The flexibility and responsiveness of the technical college system to create new curriculum offerings, not only here in the Sheboygan-Manitowoc corridor but across the state, allows Kohler and other Wisconsin companies to be nimble–and ultimately successful–in this quickly changing world.”
Over the last decade, more than 200 Kohler associates have taken courses at LTC in a wide variety of areas, including the skilled trades, lean manufacturing, supply chain management, mechanical design, culinary arts, and horticulture, among others. In addition, Kohler generously supported the new, state-of-the-art expansion of the KOHLER Center for Manufacturing Excellence training facility at LTC. That has led to new program offerings in CNC machining and welding fabrication, which produce workers with advanced manufacturing skills that are in high demand.
“The partnership with Kohler adds tremendous value to our communities,” said LTC President Michael Lanser. “Kohler Co. provides expertise on LTC advisory committees, offers student youth apprenticeship opportunities working closely with LTC, and provides generous scholarship support to students.”
One Kohler scholarship recipient states, “I am a retired military veteran whose focus was always on leadership and management. As a civilian, I have also been in operations management in manufacturing for the last 17 years. As a recently displaced worker, I plan to pursue a degree in Manufacturing Management through the LTC program. Thanks to [Kohler, Co.] I am one step closer to that goal.”
Emphasizing appreciation for Kohler’s contributions, WTCS Board President John Schwantes stated, “The Wisconsin Technical College System is pleased to recognize Kohler with the “Futuremakers Partner Award” and look forward to many more years of collaboration.”
About the Wisconsin Technical College System
The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) offers more than 300 programs awarding two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas and certificates. In addition, the System is the major provider of customized business solutions and technical assistance to Wisconsin employers. More than 340,000 individuals access the technical colleges each year. Wisconsin Technical College System Office is located at 4622 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53707-7874. Visit us online at http://www.wtcsystem.edu.
Contact: Conor Smyth, Public Information Officer, Wisconsin Technical College System
Office: (608) 266-2991, Cell: (608) 535-2172
