Lakeland to launch Engineering Technology completion program
Lakeland University is launching a streamlined engineering technology bachelor’s degree completion program to address workforce development needs raised by employers.
Lakeland’s bachelor of science in engineering technology is for students with an associate degree in engineering, engineering technology, industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering or a closely related field.
Associate degree graduates would enter Lakeland’s program as juniors and need just two years or, in some cases, less of full-time coursework to finish, although most will likely take courses part-time to accommodate their schedules.
As more companies approach their employees in this field about new roles, Lakeland’s program equips those employees to acquire the skills needed to make those transitions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a growing market for engineering technologists between 2022 and 2032, with 188,000 positions needing to be filled annually across the United States.
“Conversations with companies across the region and information provided by the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity (WCMP) indicate there is a clear need for the program,” said Lakeland President Beth Borgen.
In a survey conducted by WCMP in 2023, the two largest concerns for respondents were “Keeping qualified employees,” and “Finding and attracting qualified employees.” Fifty percent (50%) of respondents indicate that employee training and employee development are areas for increasing investment.
“These same concerns surfaced in our meetings with local companies that are seeking to upskill and retain existing employees for engineering technologist positions,” Borgen said. “This degree supports companies that need employees with more technical skills, especially employees already within those companies.
“Additionally, a large percentage of Lakeland graduates remain in Wisconsin, and these conversations tell us there are sufficient roles regionally for us to continue to import talent.”
Lakeland’s engineering technology program uses a combination of on-the-job learning through Lakeland’s Cooperative Education program and theory learned in the traditional classroom to develop problem solvers, critical thinkers and effective communicators who will work with engineers, managers, technicians and other areas. There is an emphasis on the ability to make ethical decisions to support a more efficient and safer workplace.
In addition to using employer input to shape the program, Borgen said Lakeland sought input from Wisconsin technical college partners who said they have students seeking to advance beyond the associate degree to options in engineering technology and related fields.
“These partners have expressed the need for a bachelor’s degree completion program for many years,” Borgen said. “Lakeland is proud to work with the technical colleges to find ways to continue to meet the needs of these students. This is another private/public partnership that is critical, especially in this challenging time for higher education.”
Lakeland’s program can be delivered entirely online and through practical on-location learning, which allows for courses to be available through a variety of hybrid formats that Lakeland traditionally employs in its course delivery.
“The program’s design allows for a more economical pathway to the profession which better serves the community’s workforce needs and supports those who come to the idea of engineering or engineering technology later in their careers,” Borgen said.
Prospective students can learn more about the program by visiting Lakeland.edu/engineering.
Employers interested in learning more can contact Bonnie Ziegler at ZieglerBL@lakeland.edu.
