Smart Career Restart Frequently Asked Questions

1) Who is Smart Restart for?  Smart Restart is for YOU – if you are looking for a job and interested in learning skills that will help you become more employable.

2) What Smart Restart training programs are offered?  We are offering college level course work in Industrial Machine Repair, Medical Receptionist, Office Assistant, Telecommunication Installer and Logistics.

3) Who pays for the training?  The Racine County Workforce Development Center will pay the costs associated with the training, including required books and supplies.

4) Where does the money come from?  Funding for Smart Restart programs comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Workforce Investment Act.

5) Will I get paid during the training?  No.  Funding only covers the costs associated with training.

6) What age can participate?  Participants must be 18 or older. 

7) Do I need to be a Racine County resident to apply for this program?  Yes, you do. The Racine County Workforce Development Center provides training services to residents of Racine County only.  Individuals who do not live in Racine County are encouraged to contact their local Job Center or Workforce Development Center for opportunities within their community.  Information about your local Center can be found at https://jobcenterofwisconsin.com/.

8) How do I get into one of these programs?  First, you pick up and complete an application packet, which you can get at the Resource Room of the Workforce Development Center.  The completed packet is returned to the Resource Room by the due date.  Selected candidates will be chosen for an interview based upon the completeness and content of the application submitted.  After the interview process a select number of candidates will be chosen to participate in the training program based on the number of openings available for the program.

9) Are there minimum qualifications?  Yes, there are.  As part of the application process, prior to the interview, candidates must complete math and reading assessments.  Minimum academic levels have been established for each program to ensure that customers will be prepared to succeed.  Several of the programs also have additional qualifications that are occupation-specific.

10) What if I don’t meet the minimum academic qualification?  Our Academic Improvement Center is available to assist those customers who are self-motivated and want to improve their scores.  All candidates wishing to re-test must obtain approval from our Academic Improvement staff after completing required remedial work.
 
11) When are applications available?  The dates vary by training program.  Click on the link to the specific training program to learn more.

12) Who is providing the training?  Gateway Technical College is providing the instructional faculty for the classroom portion of the programs.

13) Is there more than classroom training?  Yes.  Staff from the Workforce Development Center will work closely with all candidates to develop effective employment search and retention strategies. During the training, participants will develop a new resume, improve their interviewing skills and develop strategies to obtain employment.

14) What does the Workforce Development Center expect from participants?  This will be discussed in more detail during the application process. However, at a minimum, the Center expects candidates to be committed, respectful and ready, able and willing to follow the expectations and instructions provided by the staff at both Gateway Technical College and the Workforce Development Center.

15) What kind of grades will I need to achieve?  The Workforce Development Center has “higher expectations” for our customers.  Students must receive a grade “C” or better to obtain a certificate of completion.
 
16) Can I miss or be tardy to class?  No.  Attendance and punctuality are important to keeping a job.  The Workforce Development Center has an attendance policy for the Smart Restart program that states that if participants are late to class or absent from class, they can be dropped from the program. 

17) Can business participate?  Yes. The success of many of our prior training programs has been due to direct business involvement. In the past, businesses have participated in information sessions, interviewing applicants, making special presentations, providing tours of their facilities and helping conduct “mock” interviews. Any business wishing to contribute to the development of its future workforce should contact Jane Kurylo at  Jane.Kurylo@goRacine.org.

18) What is the employment outlook for Smart Restart programs?  Long-term occupational projections suggest that these occupational areas will be growing in the future. Currently, the labor market is competitive and the more skills job seekers have, the greater the number of employment opportunities open to them.
 
19) Are college credits granted for taking the courses?  Yes, in most cases.  The Smart Restart programs are certificate programs which earn credit toward diploma or degree programs at Gateway Technical College.  The exception is the Logistics training, in which participants earn an industry-recognized credential, although not college credit. 

20) Can I take more than one Smart Restart training program?  No, you cannot.

21) Are there any additional Smart Restart trainings planned?  Presently, no additional Smart Restart programs are scheduled.

22) Where can I pick up application packets for the Smart Restart training program?   Application packets, with complete instructions, can be obtained in the Resource Room at the Workforce Development Center located at 1717 Taylor Avenue in Racine, or at the Burlington Workforce Development Center at 380 McCanna Parkway.

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Industrial Machine Repair Questions and Answers

1) Who is Industrial Machine Repair for?  This program is ideal for individuals who have a strong mechanical aptitude and enjoy solving problems.  Experience within the manufacturing industry is also a plus. 

2) What types of jobs are people likely to get when they graduate?  Machine Repair Technician, Field Service Technician or Maintenance Mechanic, to name a few.

3) How long does the training last?  This program will last 20 weeks.

4) How many hours per week is the training? There will be 40 hours of training    each week.

5) How much work outside of class can I expect?  The Industrial Machine Repair program is intensive short-term training, with a fast pace both within and outside of the classroom. Students can expect a minimum of 8 hours of homework each week during the program.

6) When are applications available?  Applications can be picked up between August 3 and September 10, 2009. 

7) How many students will be allowed in class?  No more than 18 students will be enrolled in this class.

8) Do I need a High School Diploma or GED to participate?  No.  However as part of the application process candidates will be assessed for math and reading skills. Minimum levels have been established for all of the Smart Restart to ensure your ability to handle college level classes. If you do not have your High School Diploma or GED when starting this training, it is the expectation of the Racine Workforce Development Center that you will work toward earning that credential following the successful completion of the Industrial Machine Repair training.  Many employers require a High School Diploma, GED or HSED as a condition of employment.

9) What are the minimum levels of math and reading skills needed for the Industrial Machine Repair?  Participants in this program must be at the following levels: 10th grade math and 9th grade reading.

10) Where are the courses held?  Classes are held at the new Industrial Machine Repair facility at the Racine Campus of Gateway Technical College.

11) What are the courses taken during the 20 weeks of training?  Welding Basics, Blueprint Reading/Schematics, Pneumatics/Hydraulics, Mechanical Skills, Applied Math, Machine & Equipment Installation, Machine Machining, Fundamentals of Electricity, Mechanical Power Transmission, Intro to Industrial Controls, and Workplace Safety MSSC.

12) Are there Gateway Credits for this program?  Yes.  Successful participants will receive 26 college credits.
  
13) Are there any certificates earned?  Yes.  Successful participants will receive the following certificates: Manufacturing Skill Standards Councils (MSSC), Critical Core Manufacturing Skills (CCMS) and Industrial Machine Repair Certificate.

14)  If I have additional questions, who do I contact?  Contact Mark Leemkuil at 262-638-6676 or Mark.Leemkuil@goracine.org.

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Office Assistant Questions & Answers

1) Who is the Office Assistant Program for?  The Office Assistant Program is designed for those seeking an entry-level position requiring administrative, clerical or customer service skills.  There are a wide range of businesses and industries that employ people with these skills.

2) What types of jobs are people likely to get when they graduate?  Office Assistants can work in many settings that require basic office skills.  They can work as administrative support specialists, customer service representatives and clerical staff.

3) How long does training last?  There will be 12 weeks of classes in this program.

4) How many hours per week is the training?  This program will operate for 40 hours during each week of training.

5) How much work outside of classes will I have?  Each participant should schedule no less than 8 additional hours per week of time to review the material, complete assignments and prepare for tests or quizzes.

6) When are applications available?  Applications can be picked up between  August 14 and September 9, 2009.

7) How many students will be allowed in class?  18 students can be enrolled in this program.

8) Do I need a High School diploma or a GED to participate?  No.  However applicants will need an assessment of math, reading and keyboarding skills.  Minimum levels have been established to ensure that customers can handle college-level work.  If you don’t have your High School diploma or GED it is the expectation of the Workforce Development Center to earn your GED upon completion of the Office Assistant program.  Many employers require a High School diploma or GED as a condition of employment.

9) What level of the reading, math and keyboarding would I need to get in?  For this program, participants must have the following levels: 6th grade math, 10th grade reading and 30 words per minute key boarding with one or two errors.

10) Where are the courses held?  Classes will be held at Gateway Technical College, Racine campus.

11) What are the courses taken during the 12 weeks of training?  Records Management, Automated Office Applications, Keyboarding Applications, Intro to College Writing, Word Processing for the Office and Office Proofreading and Editing.

12) Are there Gateway credits for this program?  Yes.  Successful participants will receive 16 college credits.

13) Are there any certificates earned?  Yes.  Successful participants will receive an Office Skills Certificate.

14) If I have additional questions, who do I contact?  Contact Linda Krajnak 262-638-6541 or Linda.Kranjak@goRacine.org

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Medical Receptionist Questions & Answers

1) Who is the Medical Receptionist Program for?  The Medical Receptionist program is designed for individuals desiring entry-level employment in an administrative occupation within the health care industry.

2) What types of jobs are people likely to get when they graduate?  Medical Receptionists can work in doctor’s offices, clinics, veterinary offices and hospitals as receptionists or medical secretaries.

3) How long does training last?  Training is scheduled for a total of 20 weeks. 

4) How many hours per week is the training?  Approximately 30 hours.

5) How much work outside of classes will I have?  Each applicant should schedule no less than 5 additional hours per week of time to review the material, complete assignments and prepare for tests or quizzes.

6) When are applications available?  Applications can be picked up between August 25 and September 16, 2009.

7) How many students will be allowed in class?  This program is open for 18 students.

8) Do I need a High School Diploma or a GED to participate?  No. However candidates will need an assessment of math, reading and keyboarding skills.  Minimum levels have been established to ensure that participants can handle college-level work.  If you don’t have your High School Diploma or GED it is the expectation of the Workforce Development Center to earn your GED upon completion of the Medical Receptionist program.  Many employers require a High School Diploma or GED as a condition of employment.

9) What level of the reading, math and keyboarding would I need to get in?  For this program, participants must be at these levels: 7th grade math, 10th grade reading and 30 words per minute key boarding with one or two errors.

10) Where are the courses held?  Classes will be held at Gateway Technical College, Racine campus and at the Racine County Workforce Development Center at 1717 Taylor Avenue in Racine.

11) What are the courses taken during the 20 weeks of training?  Medical Assistant Administrative Procedures, Human Body in Health & Disease, Medical Office Insurance & Finance, Medical Office Simulation, Medical Law, Ethics & Professionalism, Intro to Healthcare Computing, Medical Terminology, and Healthcare Customer Service.

12) Are there Gateway credits for this program?  Yes, successful participants will receive 14 college credits.

13) Are there any certificates earned?  Yes.  Successful participants will receive Medical Receptionist and CPR certificates.

14) If I have additional questions, who do I contact?  Contact Linda Krajnak 262-638-6541 or Linda.Kranjak@goRacine.org

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Logistics Technician Questions & Answers

1) Who is the Logistics Program for?  The Logistics program is designed to help people enter the field of warehousing and distribution.  
 
2) What types of jobs are people likely to get when they graduate?  Shipping and receiving clerk, storage and distribution clerk, and freight agent are some of the occupations within this occupational group. 

3) How long does the training last?  The training will last 2 weeks.

4) How many hours per week is the training?  The training is 26 hours per week.

5) How much work outside will I have to study for?  Each applicant should schedule no less than 5 additional hours per week of time to review the material, complete assignments and prepare for tests or quizzes.

6) When are applications available?  Between 10/19/2009 and 11/20/2009

7) How many students will be allowed in class? 18 students

8) Do I need a High school or a GED to participate?  No, however applicants will need an assessment of math and reading skills. Minimum levels have been established to ensure that customers will be prepared to succeed at college level work. If you don’t have your High School diploma or GED it is the expectation of the Workforce Development Center to earn your GED immediately have after completion of the Logistics Program.  Many employers require a High School diploma or GED as a condition of employment

9) What is the level of the math and reading I would need to get in?  10th grade reading and 8th grade math level and basic computer skills.

10) Where are the courses held?  Training will occur at Gateway Technical College’s Horizon Center located at 4940 88th Ave, Kenosha, WI

11) What are the courses taken during the 2 weeks of training?  Logistics Assistant, Logistics Technician, MS Excel/Beginning

12) Are there any Gateway credits for this program?  No

13) Are there any certificates earned? Yes, MSSC Certified Logistics Assistant & MSSC Certified  Logistics Technician

14) If I have additional questions, who do I contact?  A project manager has yet to be named.  Please check back frequently for an update of this information.

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Telecommunications Installer Questions & Answers

1) Who is the Telecommunications program for?  The Telecommunications Installer program is designed for those who want to learn how to install and maintain the infrastructure that supports telecommunications and computer systems.

2) What types of jobs are people likely to get after program completion?  This program will prepare you for jobs in line installation and telecommunication line repair.

3) How long does the training last?  The Telecommunications Installer training is 8 weeks long.

4) How many hours per week is the training?  This training will be 32 hours per week.

5) What is the time commitment outside of actual classroom time that I can expect to spend?   Each applicant should schedule no less than 5 additional hours per week of time to review the material, complete assignments and prepare for tests or quizzes.

6) How can I apply, and what is involved?  The application packets for the Telecommunication Installer training contain complete information and details about what is needed to complete the application and all the steps involved.  Applications can be picked up between September 17 and October 9th.

7) How many students will be in the class?  The class can accommodate a maximum of 12 students.

8) Do I need a High School Diploma or GED to be eligible to participate?  No, you do not.  However, as part of the application process candidates will need to have an assessment to measure both math and reading skills.  Minimum levels for these skills have been established for all the Smart Restart programs to ensure that participants are ready for the college-level classes.   If you do not have your High School Diploma or GED when starting this training, it is the expectation of the Racine Workforce Development Center that you will earn that credential following the successful completion of the Telecommunication Installer training.  Many employers require a High School diploma or GED as a condition of employment.

9) What are the minimum levels of math and reading skills established for the Telecommunication Installer training?  Your test results need to be at or above 10th grade levels for both math and reading.

10) Are there any other pre-requisites to meet?  You should be aware that jobs for which you are being trained are physical jobs which may require lifting, using ladders, crawling and entering confined spaces.

11) Where will this training be held?  The Telecommunication Installer training will be held at Gateway’s Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation (CATI) located at 2320 Renaissance Blvd. in Sturtevant.

12) What courses will be taught, and will I earn college credits?  The course titles for Telecommunication Installer training are: Telecommunications Safety & Installation, MSSC Safety, Customer Service, Applied Math, and Fire Stopping.   Successful completion of all course work will earn 12 college credits.

13) Are there any certificates earned?  Yes, successful completion of all classes (including passing scores for any certification exams) in the Telecommunication Installer training will result in the following Certifications:  MSSC Safety, Fire Stopping, Customer Service, and BICSI/Belden.

14) If I have additional questions, who do I contact?  Contact Melissa Hennessy at 262-638-6527 or via email at Melissa.Hennessy@goRacine.org

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Additional Information at GTC

Additional information can be found on the Smart Career Restart page on the Gateway Technical College website.