Fond du Lac, Wisc.: Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC), in conjunction with the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) board, has selected Kreilkamp Trucking as the recipient of the 2024 Futuremakers Partner Award. WTCS Board President, S. Mark Tyler, and Moraine Park President, Bonnie Baerwald, presented Kreilkamp with their award at the WTCS board meeting on March 19. The award recognizes the unique and dynamic partnerships between Wisconsin’s technical colleges and their employer partners. In 2022, Moraine Park and Tim Kreilkamp combined efforts to create the Wisconsin Regional Truck Driving Academy, a career opportunity to help respond to worker shortages. Together, they looked to address concerns surrounding the challenging process of obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL); access to a semi to take the road test, and the significant cost of attending driving school–with tuition at $5,000 or more upfront for the training. Through this partnership, both parties brought different assets to the table–Kreilkamp had the tools and space for classrooms and driving, and Moraine Park had educational resources. Together, the Wisconsin Regional Truck Driving Academy was created. After completing the program, participants will have a Moraine Park technical diploma, be employed by Kreilkamp and begin working immediately. The starting salary for a regional truck driver is approximately $61,000 per year. “It is an honor to recognize Kreilkamp Trucking, Inc. as a WTCS Futuremaker Partner,” S. Mark Tyler, WTCS Board President, said. “The connection Moraine Park Technical College built with Kreilkamp Trucking led to the creation of the Wisconsin Regional Truck Driving Academy to respond to workforce shortages, exemplifies the power of partnerships between our colleges and the employers in their communities.” The Wisconsin Regional Truck Driving Academy, funded in part by grant dollars, is managed through Moraine Park’s Economic and Workforce Development (EWD) department. The first truck driving course was held in February 2022– since then 13 cohorts have completed their training and together MPTC and Kreilkamp have fueled the industry with nearly 150 truck drivers. “The partnership with Kreilkamp has been transformative for our district and state,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “This initiative was championed by Tim Kreilkamp, in an effort to find a creative solution to an industry workforce shortage crisis. We are honored that they trusted Moraine Park to provide the curriculum needed to carry forward their vision and we look forward to future partnership opportunities.” Tim Kreilkamp also played a vital role in the College’s referendum conversations throughout the Moraine Park communities and has provided ongoing advocacy and legislative support on behalf of Moraine Park and technical education.
