| Rationale: |
The Western Wisconsin Technical College prepares students entering the world of work by offering Associate Degree programs with technical and industrial emphases. The Industrial Studies Department at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville offers bachelors degree programs in industrial and technical management areas. The Associate Degree programs place a high degree of emphasis upon application and entry level skills while the bachelors degree at UW-Platteville builds upon the introductory application skills by adding theoretical coursework, management and business skills, analytical and humanistic competencies, and industrial internships. As industrial employment requirements become more complex and workplace changes occur with more frequency, students need the opportunity to upgrade their technical skills and competencies by pursuing a related collegiate level program. The advent of Tech Prep in the United States suggests the need for broadly educated workers with a high propensity of critical thinking and problem solving skills. This national thrust strongly suggests that articulation agreements be developed between institutions to ensure a broadly and extensively educated citizenry. |