1-20-15 mptc considers suspending building trades construction program in west bend

Citing low student enrollment the Moraine Park Technical College Board is expected to consider suspending its Building Trades Construction Worker program at its West Bend campus.  The West Bend campus Dean says the program is not cost effective when only five students had applied.  Executive director of the Homebuilders Association of Fond du Lac and Dodg0e counties Amanda Kemmel says she is surprised given that MPTC spent nearly $3 milliion in 2012 to remodel its West Bend campus to give the Program more space.  “It is surprising, you know I don’t know they’ve  (MPTC) has done the best job marketing their efforts,”  Kemmel told AM 1170 WFDL’s Between the Lines program.  Kemmel says while employment in the construction industry declined during the recession the numbers have rebounded over the last three years.  Jackie Gulig with Ralph Gulig Construction says she’s concerned about the long term impact on the building industry.  “We do need to have these programs and we need to have them after high school,”  Gulig said.  “The nationwide housing stock is aging and whether its remodeling, new construction someone is going to have to do it.”  Gulig says part of the enrollment problem may be that students aren’t aware of the program.  The issue may be discussed at an MPTC Board meeting at 5pm Wednesday at the Fond du Lac campus.