Western offering seven new programs for students

Western Technical College will have several new courses for students to try starting in this summer.

The seven new programs will be in education, construction and cybersecurity.

Kat Linaker, vice president of academic affairs with Western explained the goal is, in part, to help area employers.

“We do some research into what are the number of job openings in the area in any given profession or industry,” Linaker said. “Then we work with our community partners and employers in the area to see what their needs are.”

Linaker is looking forward to one course, which aims to stop a growing problem.

“There is a huge need for individuals that have the skill set to work both for cybersecurity in regard to you and me and our personal information,” Linaker said, “But also on the manufacturing floor.”

If students are enrolled in a different program, Linaker said they won’t have to completely start over.

“It’s got a lot of related contacts,” she said. “It’s been put together in a thoughtful way by the faculty in that area. It will matter with some of our other programs and certificates.”

Linaker added that they look into adding additional programs every year before the fall semester.