CCEDC and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) needs to gather pledges of support to move forward with Critical Core Manufacturing Skills training! Chippewa County has several springboards for future economic growth; our natural resources, our fantastic road and rail infrastructure, our industrial resources, our proximity to major markets, and most importantly our talent. There is no doubt that Chippewa County’s economic base began by attracting capable people. These people in turn started businesses and became major employers. More capable people were attracted to Chippewa though existing employers, our local education system and the attractive local lifestyle offered here. What developed is a growing talent pool that further attracted new employers who seek a skilled workforce.

            It only makes sense to continue to fine tune and enhance our skilled workforce.  With this in mind, CCEDC and CVTC are partnering to provide a unique training opportunity to area manufacturers. At the March 25, 2010 CCEDC brown bag meeting a call for action was issued by Tim Shepardson, CVTC-Chippewa Falls and Steven Michaud, Plank Enterprises to establish a Critical Core Manufacturing Skills (CCMS) training program in Chippewa.

            As a result, CCEDC and CVTC’s goal is to establish CCMS training as a multi-recipient contract and to keep the cost per person down to $12-$30 range per participant.  The cost will ultimately be determined by the numbers of people in each class (maximum class-size is 30).

            The more participants there are in each class, the lower the cost. So the next step in establishing a CCMS depends on active involvement by the county’s manufacturing community.  CVTC and CCEDC are prepared to write an application for a Workforce Advancement Training (WAT) grant to reduce the cost of the CCMS training for participating Chippewa manufacturers. However, we need to prove to the State that there is a consortium of employers that support the CCMS concept.

            Today's Chippewa manufacturers require employees at all levels to take initiative to solve problems, work cooperatively in teams, and adapt to an ever-changing environment. The CCMS training program will target these areas and more, to empower our workforce to meet current and future production and customer demands. In fact, Michaud estimates that he realizes $125,000 to $175,000 in annual sales per employee but within 3-5 years the need to increase sales will move that ratio to $250,000-$350,000 of annual sales per employee. A CCMS is one way to increase employee productivity. Another way to increase employee productivity is to invest in modern manufacturing technologies yet, the need for engaged employees to operate the technologies and to conduct the processes still remains and CCMS helps with that because CCMS can be customized to meet specific needs.

            Interested Chippewa manufacturing companies should complete a Chippewa County CCMS Pledge of Support form by April 23, 2010. For further information about the CCMS opportunity please Contact Tim Shepardson, CVTC-Chippewa Falls at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   738-3852 or Charlie Walker, CCEDC at 723-7150 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it