Educators and manufacturers discuss workforce needs at engineering roundtable

Educators and manufacturers met for an engineering roundtable, according to a May 12 announcement, to discuss current hiring needs and the skills required in today's workforce. The event brought together employers with higher education institutions including University of Wisconsin–Madison, Waukesha County Technical College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Platteville, and University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

The roundtable allowed direct collaboration between industry leaders and educational partners. Alliance members described firsthand their perspectives on hiring trends and the evolving skill sets needed in engineering and manufacturing. Employers said experiential learning, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and raising student awareness about available career opportunities are important factors for success.

Educational representatives shared information about enrollment trends at their institutions. They discussed efforts to strengthen connections with industry partners in order to better prepare students for careers as engineers.

The discussion reinforced the importance of continued cooperation between businesses and educational organizations so that students are ready for the workforce when they graduate. This collaboration also helps ensure employers have access to talent needed for growth in Wisconsin.

The Waukesha County Business Alliance works to strengthen the local economy by representing more than 1,200 member companies employing over 120,000 people in the region. The group focuses on economic growth through advocacy, development initiatives, engagement with community stakeholders, expansion efforts within Waukesha County itself, and serving as a primary advocate across diverse industries—according to the official website.