In this file photo, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker visits a manufacturing facility.
On Oct. 11, educators and industry professionals will meet in Milwaukee, Wis., to discuss the best way to tackle the state’s skills gap problems at the fourth annual BizTimes Get Smarter Conference.
The conference will feature various experts and professionals sharing their “insights about how southeastern Wisconsin’s educational institutions and infrastructure, as well as the private sector, can collaborate to develop smarter employees who have the skills that employers need to grow their companies and the region’s economy.”
Opening remarks will be delivered by Tim Sullivan, special consultant for business and workforce development for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Other speakers include:
- Mike Lovell, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Lovell will discuss the future of post-secondary education and share ideas for how employers can become engaged with the region’s universities.
- Joe Weitzer, dean of the Center for Business Performance Solutions at Waukesha County Technical College. Weitzer will discuss how the Wisconsin Technical College System is responding to the need for trained employees in the skilled trades.
- Peggy Troy, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Troy will discuss the burgeoning employment opportunities in the health care field as the Baby Boomer generation ages, as well as the need for effective professional training and executive enlightenment.
- Keith Coursin, president of Desert Aire Corp., a Germantown company specializing in production of mechanical refrigeration equipment used for control humidity. Coursin has served as chairman at the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), a trade association based in Washington, D.C. Coursin will share insights about a scholarship program to attract new candidates for employment in the HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) industry.
- Greg Johnson, general manager of Power Test Inc., a Sussex company specializing in the design, manufacture and implementation of dynamometers and dyno control systems. Power Test recently formed Manufacturer’s Resource Training (MRT), a startup company focused on training people for entry machinist positions in manufacturing companies. The nine-week program will provide hands-on training using the Power Test production facility and equipment for entry-level candidates for employment in manufacturing.
The conference will take place from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee. For more event details, click here.
