WKU, BGTC Join To Form
Training Alliance
November 17, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - A partnership between two postsecondary education institutions will provide one-stop educational and training resources for businesses and industries in Southcentral Kentucky.
Bowling Green Technical College and Western Kentucky University have formed the Training Alliance of Southern Kentucky (TASK). The agreement was officially signed today during a rollout ceremony at the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce office.
"This unique collaboration brings one-stop planning and delivery of high-quality training and education resources when and where the services are needed," said Dr. Jack Thomas, President and CEO of Bowling Green Technical College. "Rapid set-up of customized training in technical and business specialties, well-trained and enthusiastic faculty trainers, the ability to prepare grant applications to cover the cost of specialized training and consistent pricing are a few of the services TASK will offer."
The five-year partnership is "based on integrity, respect for our organizations and respect for each other," said Dr. Audrey Anderson, Interim Dean of Western's Division of Extended Learning and Outreach (DELO). "Focusing our resources and capabilities toward ever-changing business and industry needs of the area serves to enhance the economic vitality and competitiveness of the entire region."
According to Dr. Keith Bird, Chancellor of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, and Dr. Barbara Burch, WKU Provost, TASK was formed so that the partners could gain from each other's strengths.
"Business and industry, therefore, benefit greatly from this alliance," Dr. Bird said. "The combined efforts of the partners enhance awareness and delivery of both technical and professional development training."
Traditionally, Western provided professional development training while BGTC provided basic and advanced technical training in a multitude of specializations, Dr. Thomas said. "With the new alliance, business and industry can contact either TASK partner for a greater variety of technical and managerial training," he said. "The TASK partners will ensure coordination of the proposal and offerings provided to the customer."
Some of the training TASK will provide includes management and supervisory training, quality assurance, computer applications, team and employee development training, health and safety training, industrial and engineering technology, information technology, welding, tool and die training, and industrial maintenance specialties.
Business and industry officials interested in scheduling can contact Manon Pardue, Coordinator of Corporate Training at WKU at (270) 745-1919, or Lewis Burke, Director of Workforce and Economic Development at BGTC at (270) 901-1033.
More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu. More Bowling Green Technical College news is available on the World Wide Web at www.bowlinggreen.kctcs.edu.
