City offers variety of experiential learning opportunities for NWTC students
Greg Phillips developed a knack for all things mechanical at a young age. He remembers spending a lot of time in his dad’s shop.
“He was always working on something, whether it be a lawnmower or a diesel truck or anything like that,” Phillips said of his father. “I kind of grew up working on stuff and working around the shop with him, and it just kind of turned me down this path. I love it.”
In high school, Phillips kept going on the mechanical path, earning college credits through a partnership between NWTC and Luxemburg-Casco High School. Thanks to the partnership, Phillips was able to complete the first year of NWTC’s two-year Diesel Medium and Heavy Truck Technician program while still at L-C. After graduating from high school, he continued with NWTC’s diesel program, graduating from the College in May 2024.
Learn more about earning college credits in high school.
Now, Phillips is doing what he loves in a full-time career as a general mechanic for the City of Green Bay – a position that began with a golden opportunity.
It was the fall of 2023. Philips was honing his skills as a second-year diesel student in NWTC’s Transportation Center on the Green Bay campus. One day, Nathan Wachtendonk, fleet manager for the City of Green Bay Department of Public Works (DPW), visited Phillips’ class, sharing information about new mechanic internships with the DPW.
The internships offered flexible work hours, on-the-job training, and an hourly wage. In addition, the internship came with the potential for full-time employment. To be eligible, students must complete their NWTC program.
Phillips took advantage of the opportunity, becoming the DPW’s first mechanic intern.
“It was a great experience having Greg as an intern,” said Wachtendonk. “Coming from the NWTC diesel program, he came well-rounded in his education. The pilot program has been a success. The school worked around our schedule. We worked around his schedule. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Wachtendonk said in addition to coming into the internship with foundational skills, Phillips brought new ideas.
“He brought us some new methods and approaches, such as how to do various oil sampling and some of the new processes they’re teaching,” Wachtendonk said. “We also brought some ways we do things back to the tech school so they could train the upcoming technicians.”
After graduating in May from NWTC, Phillips began his full-time mechanic position at the DPW. In his role, he repairs and maintains a wide variety of vehicles and equipment such as lawnmowers, snowplows, and garbage trucks.
“I work on just about anything they have,” Phillips said. “Anything that comes in broken, usually I get to look at it, diagnose it, and try to figure out what the problem is. For me, just to be able to see my work go out the door and know it's going to keep working and I can trust it, it’s just nice.”
What surprised you about your NWTC experience?
It's a lot different than high school. I will say it's a lot more laid back. You're your own person.
Why are internships important?
Internships are important because it’s about being able to see firsthand what you are learning about and then being able to get hands-on with it in real world situations. You get to learn hands-on with everything else and get to learn about it at the same time.
How would you describe NWTC?
I would describe it as an opportunity. Just because it's something that you can go there and learn and get hands-on with it. Just be able to do something and just be a part of something bigger.
Phillips’s mechanic internship is just one example of how NWTC and the City of Green Bay partner to build a skilled workforce.
Over the years, the City has offered a variety of internship and seasonal aid opportunities to NWTC students. The positions provide valuable hands-on experience for students while serving as a talent pipeline for the City.
Many of the interns and aids, like Phillips, are offered full-time positions following graduation. In fact, the City recently hired several graduates (or soon-to-be graduates) from NWTC’s law enforcement, firefighting, and civil engineering technology programs. Still, the City – like so many other organizations and companies in the region – needs more skilled candidates to fill positions.
“If you are going through a police science program or fire science or the diesel program, at some point we need them to help staff our positions. And then civil engineers-- we really need them,” said Melanie Falk, the City’s human resources manager. “From an employment standpoint, NWTC is truly a partner. We hope to grow that program.”
Falk said a big benefit of being a City of Green Bay employee, no matter the role, is feeling valued for “making a contribution to the community.” For example, without mechanics, the City’s vehicles would not be on the road plowing snow, fixing potholes, or providing other services residents depend on.
She recognizes the College’s role in creating a vibrant community and the students’ desire to make a difference with their skills and strengths.
“It's wonderful having a technical college here, where these young individuals get the skills they need and can apply them to a job here in our community,” Falk said. “We know it's very important to them to be able to do something where they feel valued, where they can give back to the community. And what better place to work than the City of Green Bay, where we serve our citizens.”
In addition to internships, the City of Green Bay helps NWTC provide experiential learning opportunities for diesel students by bringing equipment to the College’s Transportation Center.
“If they're in engine work, or if they're in brake work or drive line, chances are we’ve got work for them,” said Nathan Wachtendonk, fleet manager for the City’s Department of Public Works. “We'll bring down trucks and equipment. It gives students experience on vehicles that are live, that have issues – not just something that's on a test stand.”
“They can see the rusty bolts, the tires not coming off, see how the salt impacts the frame rails of the truck, the brake components, and everything in the engine as well,” he added. “So, they can get real life experience, but also something that's in a controlled environment.”
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