Gateway Technical College Wednesday and Thursday will host a national leadership summit for the National Coalition of Certification Center NC3, featuring workshops, tours of college facilities and presentations from such leaders as Wisconsin Secretary of Workforce Development Reggie Newson, the American Association of Community Colleges “21st Century Report” author and researcher Walter Bumphus as well as John Colborn, CEO Skills for America’s Future.
More than 125 education and business leaders from across the United States are expected to attend the summit to learn about a national priority calling for industry-driven credentials and the best practices of colleges which have integrated these certifications into their curriculum.
The media is invited to attend the Newson and Colborn presentations at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Madrigrano Auditorium in the Conference Center on Gateway’s Kenosha Campus, 3520-30th Ave., or the Bumphus presentation at noon Thursday, also in the Conference Center. Media members are also invited to attend a speech delivered by Morna Foy, Wisconsin Technical College System president, at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the college’s SC Johnson integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Center, 2320 Renaissance Blvd. Sturtevant.
Gateway, and other colleges at the event, benefit as leaders learn and share best practices on how to integrate industry-driven credentials into academic programs.
“Students benefit because they are more marketable if they have an industry-credential in addition to a Gateway certificate, diploma or degree. It gives them an advantage in the hiring process,” says Debbie Davidson, Gateway vice president Workforce and Economic Development Division and NC3 director of development.
“Businesses benefit because the job applicants with these credentials have a third-party validation of their skills to undergird their Gateway – or other college – degree and letter grade.”
NC3 is a network of education providers and corporations that supports, advances and validates new and emerging technology skills in the transportation, aviation and energy industry sectors.
Davidson called it an honor to host the event.
“Gateway has hosted the NC3 Train-the-Trainer event each July and we have added a leadership component each year,” says Davidson. “This year’s summit is the largest leadership event NC3 has hosted to-date.”