Students in Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s (NWTC) skilled trades programs are applying their training through community-based projects—gaining experience while supporting real needs across Northeast Wisconsin.
Hands-on learning with real community impact
Students pursuing technical diplomas in Electricity and Carpentry are applying their skills beyond the classroom—building infrastructure and facilities that meet real community needs while developing the skills employers are looking for.
That experience is driving strong workforce outcomes. NWTC’s 2023–2024 graduate survey shows that students in these programs have a 100% employment rate after graduation, with nearly all working in their field.
Throughout the academic year, students complete these projects as part of their training—combining technical instruction with applied learning experiences.
Current projects include:
- A quarantine building for the bobcat exhibit at Bruemmer Park Zoo, used for animal care and medical observation
- A storage building for a local Boy Scouts of America troop
- New operational structures, including a ski hill operator building and snowmaking equipment facility for Kewaunee County Parks
Designed for student success and completion
These experiences are intentionally designed to support student success—keeping students engaged, building confidence, and helping them progress through their programs to completion. Students earn academic credit while developing technical skills and problem-solving abilities directly tied to their field.
“This is how we design learning to drive results,” said Dr. Jennifer Flatt, provost and executive vice president of Academic and Student Affairs at NWTC. “When students apply what they’re learning to real projects, it changes the experience. They build skills faster, gain confidence, and leave better prepared for the workforce.”
Preparing students for workforce
For many students, the experience is about more than the work—it’s about making a meaningful impact.
“I like to work with my hands, but I also like to serve a purpose,” said Alpha Diallo, a student in NWTC’s carpentry technical diploma program graduating in May. “There’s nothing better than starting with nothing and building something people will use for years. You see the impact right away, and that’s what makes it meaningful.”
The hands-on nature of the work also provides a level of preparation that extends beyond the classroom.
“You can’t recreate this experience in a classroom—you have to be here,” said Erin Sundquist, also in the carpentry technical diploma program and an NWTC alum. “It’s hands-on, and you’re learning in real time, which gives you a completely different understanding of the work.”
Students across multiple disciplines contribute to these projects, reflecting the collaborative nature of today’s workforce. Many components are constructed on campus before being delivered and installed on-site with community partners.
Get started in a hands-on, in-demand career at NWTC.
