Forward Award Winner: Gateway Technical College

Gateway Technical College

3520 30th Ave., Kenosha

Industry: Education

Employees: 617 full-time, 850 part-time

gtc.edu

In 1911, Gateway Technical College became the first publicly funded continuation school in the U.S. Since then, the Kenosha-based school has continued to lead the way, establishing business partnerships, including industry certifications in its curriculum, and providing students with hands-on skills training.

GTC has also grown to three campuses, in Kenosha, Racine and Elkhorn. And it has adapted to meet business needs over time, most recently by launching two associate degree programs – advanced manufacturing and supply chain management – to train employees for the Foxconn Technology Group complex development in nearby Mount Pleasant.

In order to help more high school students attend college and pursue a career path, GTC launched its Gateway Promise program in 2017 to provide three years of free tuition to eligible students in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties. Once federal and state aid have been applied, the Gateway Technical College Foundation’s Gateway Promise endowment scholarship fund covers tuition, provided the student meets certain requirements.

More than 150 students took part in the first cohort of Gateway Promise.

“Certainly it’s an honor to receive recognition from the Kenosha Area Business Alliance,” said Bryan Albrecht, president of GTC. “They have always valued and helped support the role that education plays in building a strong workforce.”