Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) provides students with opportunities to grow as professionals and serve their communities. All 16 Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) colleges, including WCTC, received a Round Three TAACCCT grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for the project entitled, Intentional Networks Transforming Effective and Rigorous Facilitation of Assessment, Collaboration, and Education (INTERFACE). INTERFACE is working to strategically align colleges, workforce development, statewide educational systems, and businesses to strengthen computer skill competencies and expand pathways for students in information technology-related programs.

One of the strategies being implemented by INTERFACE is work-based learning. Under this strategy, WCTC implemented a service-learning program that provides students with opportunities to put their technical and professional skills to test, while also allowing students to give back to the community and build a sense of civic engagement. In the first three semesters of a fully implemented service learning program, 60 students have participated in providing 3,092 hours of service to their community. Students express a gratitude for the opportunity to gain hands-on technical experience while also feeling a greater sense of commitment to the world around them.

For more information on the WCTC’s work with Service Learning, read Service Learning for Engaged Work-Based Learning.