Thanks to a recent donation from industry partner Kraemer Brothers, LLC, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville building construction programs now have a piece of new equipment to offer students additional hands-on experience. The commercial construction firm in Plain, Wisconsin, recently donated a 753 Bobcat skid steer.
“Kevin Kraemer, executive vice president of Kraemer Brothers and a 1977 UW-Platteville graduate, saw the equipment that was needed at our hands-on labs, the Commercial Construction Lab and the Road and Infrastructure Lab, and stepped up,” said Gretchen Bockenhauer, lecturer in the Building Construction Management program.
The skid steer will be utilized in both labs and give students in the Construction Management and Construction Safety Management programs the experience working around and operating this type of equipment.
“We can’t thank Kraemer Brothers enough for their continued support of our students and programs,” said Bockenhauer.
UW-Platteville’s Commercial Construction Lab, launched in 2016, consists of a commercial building design that students construct and deconstruct each semester. The Road and Infrastructure Construction Lab opened in 2019 and offers students experience working with underground utilities, storm sewers, grading and structures, such as a bridge. It also offers students the opportunity to experience asphalt and concrete paving, sidewalk applications, and an understanding of erosion and traffic control. Learn more about UW-Platteville’s Construction Management program at www.uwplatt.edu/program/construction-management.