Contact: Gary Kohn (608) 757-7769 or cell (608) 436-9578
At a time when the intricacies of a new economy create challenges for today’s manufacturers, Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) is proud to call JP Cullen a long-time partner and the winner of the 2016 Technical Education Champion Award.
Represented by Mark Cullen, Chairman of the Board for JP Cullen, the organization was presented the award on Friday, July 15 at the Wisconsin Technical College District Board Association summer meetings, held last week in Wausau, Wisconsin.
The annual award recognizes community and business leaders for their support of area technical schools and partnership in addressing key industry issues. JP Cullen earned the honor for their work with Blackhawk Technical College.
“JP Cullen is more than deserving of this award,” said Dr. Tracy Pierner, president of Blackhawk Technical College. “Led by Mark Cullen, their vision and leadership have contributed toward the economic vitality of our region.”
“More than ever, employers like JP Cullen rely on us for talent development, and working in close partnership allows us to provide extremely relevant programs and services,” said Pierner. “The Wisconsin Technical College System District Boards Association clearly recognizes JP Cullen’s contribution to career and technical education through this prestigious award.”
“We are honored to receive the 2016 Technical Education Champion award. Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) has impacted so many people in our community and state, especially when economic conditions are challenging and people have to learn new skills to prepare for a career change. For several decades, many JP Cullen employees, including myself, have benefited from the College,” stated Mark Cullen.
The Technical Education Champion Award is based on five criteria including:
- The nominee’s promotion of the local college.
- Its financial support to the district and individuals associated with the college.
- Its utilization of the college for employee training, and by hiring students.
- Its advocacy on the college’s behalf.
- The nominee’s enhancement of the community as a whole.
Founded in 1892, JP Cullen is the second largest construction company in Wisconsin. The company has been a close partner with BTC for nearly 30 years. Since 2007 JP Cullen has donated $50,000 to BTC in scholarship monies and pledged $25,000 towards the Advanced Manufacturing Training Center.
Annually, the company donates $200,000 to 65 high schools to mentor students interested in construction trades. In addition, JP Cullen has worked with BTC on internship opportunities and has utilized the college’s Business and Community Development Division for additional workforce training. In fact, hundreds of JP Cullen employees have benefited from BTC programs, and they continue to encourage employees to seek training from BTC when appropriate.
ABOUT JP CULLEN
JP Cullen is a fifth-generation family-owned business. For over 120 years they have taken on the most challenging government, education, healthcare, commerce, industrial, arts & entertainment and historic restoration projects across Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and northeast Iowa. Today the company is a $380 million full-service pre-construction and construction company with 600 employees, managing projects from $1,000 to over $80 million in size – from new construction (office buildings, university buildings, residence halls) to additions and renovations (healthcare facilities, K-12 schools, industrial plants) to specialized work (e.g. steel erection, masonry, carpentry, historical restoration, equipment installation). The corporate headquarters is located in Janesville, Wisconsin with additional offices in Milwaukee, and Madison, Wisconsin.
ABOUT BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Blackhawk Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System. BTC has five campus locations in Monroe, Milton, Beloit and Janesville, WI offering more than 50 programs including two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas. In addition, BTC is a major provider of customized training and technical assistance for the Rock and Green County business community. More than half of all adults living in Wisconsin have accessed the technical colleges for education and training during the last decade.
