June 6, 2014 at 1:48 p.m.

High demand manufacturing training at Nicolet spans the generations

High demand manufacturing training at Nicolet spans the generations
High demand manufacturing training at Nicolet spans the generations

Matt Laddisure and Bruce Wiers come from different worlds.

Laddisure is a recent high school graduate.

Wiers retired from the military, having served 26 years in the Army, including tours in Afghanistan.

Today, both are enrolled in Nicolet's manufacturing program.

"Students of all ages are seeing manufacturing as an attractive career," said Richard Johnson, Nicolet industrial maintenance instructor. "Whether they are starting their first career, or second or third, students recognize that the skills they learn are in high demand and that jobs in this field pay attractive wages."

Wiers retired from the Army in 2009 with the rank of Master Sergeant, specializing in electronic communication. Finding a job in the civilian world was a challenge, but he eventually landed a position at HyPro in Rhinelander, starting in quality control. That's where he learned about the manufacturing program at Nicolet.

"Right away I knew Nicolet was a great fit for me," he said. "Once I started classes it became obvious that there were many more opportunities for advancement with the kind if training I was getting a Nicolet."

Today, he is making the transition from quality control to industrial maintenance at HyPro.

As for Laddisure, he landed a job in the maintenance department at Drs. Foster & Smith after his first year at Nicolet.

"I seriously doubt I would have gotten such a good job without the skills I'm learning at Nicolet," he said. "What we learn in class applies directly to what I do on the job."

Both men are working on Industrial Mechanical Technician Program associate degrees. Both said they are committed to finishing their associate degrees while they work in the field.

"This is actually common," said their instructor. "Once they start learning the basic skills, students qualify for jobs in related industries. What they then realize is that the more skills they acquire the greater the opportunities for advancement and the better the pay. That's why they continue taking classes to complete their degrees."

And for good reason. Nicolet graduates with a manufacturing associate degree can expect to earn $35,000 to $40,000 a year in an entry level position in the Northwoods, the college said in a press release.

In all, Nicolet offers eight different academic credentials in manufacturing. This includes a new, two-year associate degree in electromechanical technology.

For more information about job skills training opportunities at Nicolet, visit nicoletcollege.edu or call the Nicolet Welcome Center at (715) 365-4493, 1-800-544-3039, ext. 4493; TTY 711 or 1-800-947-3529.

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