Lake Country This Month
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NOVEMBER 2013 Page 8A • FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY Senior year as bridge to a career Walker, officials mark launch of WCTC Dual Enrollment Academy at WCTC recently that most parents believe their son or daughter must go to a fourPEWAUKEE – If more year college or university . high school students were "We're driving our kids in like Bradley Servidas, the wrong direction," he things would be easier for said, adding that there are Trace-A-Matic President already too many lawyers Thorsten Wienss. stuck working as barServidas is a senior at tenders. Brookfield Central High He said that when his School and is also in Wauke- company tries to recruit sha County Technical Colpeople, it is difficult to find lege's Dual Enrollment potential employees with the Academy as a member of necessary educational level. the Tool and Die/CNC The problem is commonly cohort. He said the program referred to as the skills gap. is a great way to start a The crowd Wienss was career and it has been fun to speaking to wasn't just any make new friends and do gathering. Gov. Scott Walker something that not every was on hand, along with high school senior gets to Department of Workforce do. Development Secretary Reg"It's more hands-on than I gie Newson, WCTC Presithought," he said. "I love it. dent Barbara Prindiville, This is what I want to do officials from the Wisconsin when I grow up." Economic Development CorFor Wienss, the president poration, school superintenof a machining company, dents, lawmakers and other the problem is that not officials. everyone shares Servidas' They were all there for the desire to pursue a career in official launch of the Dual his industry He told a crowd Enrollment Academy, a . By Arthur Thomas Freeman Staff An eye for eyewear yearlong pilot program permitting high school seniors to receive credit from the technical college and their schools at the same time. To be eligible, students must have a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average, be on track to graduate and meet college entrance requirements. The program has cohorts in tool and die/CNC, welding/fabrication and IT networking, all industries the schools identified as highdemand areas. Students spend the majority of their day at WCTC during both semesters, and depending on the program could earn an industry certificate by the time they graduate high school. Two school districts, Elmbrook and Waukesha, were involved in the initial development of the program. The Arrowhead, New Berlin, Pewaukee, Sussex Hamilton and West Allis school districts, along with Light House Academy, have since joined in the collaboration. Walker said he is keeping an eye on the program and would like to see it replicated elsewhere. He also said Servidas' view of the program, enjoying what he's doing and having fun meeting new people, is something he wants for his two sons. "I want them not just to find a job, I want them to find a career that makes them excited to go to work," Walker said. He noted that manufacturing wages are 25 percent higher than other jobs in the state, are more likely to offer benefits and also have less turnover. He stressed that there are many opportunities for careers in advanced manufacturing. A flier provided to event attendees said there were more than 1,500 job openings for machine tool operation and tool and die making between July 2012 and June 2013 in the surrounding region. Lee Swindall, vice president for business and indus- Charles Auer/Freeman Staff Waukesha County Technical College Dean of the School of Applied Technologies Michael Shiels, left, talks with Gov. Scott Walker during a tour of the WCTC CNC machining lab. try development at WEDC, also said that when he meets with companies considering coming to Wisconsin, they are often more interested in the workforce's capabilities than in incentives offered by the state. Walker echoed that sentiment and said it is important for Wisconsin's future to solve the skills gap problem. "I'm convinced that the state that gets out from under this will be the state the leads the country in economic development," he said. Email: athomas@conleynet.com Local business owner has vision for wearable art By Daniel Gaitan Freeman Staff DELAFIELD – Paula Hornbeck, owner of Eye Candy in downtown Delafield, proudly offers hundreds of luxury designer eye and sunglasses from across the globe. Since 2007, Eye Candy has been offering locals personalized, oneof-a-kind wearable art for adults of all ages and professions. Hornbeck spoke to The Freeman about her experiences selling high fashion in Wisconsin. They might have a more business-like look for the weekday and on the weekends want something more playful. FREEMAN: What is your favorite brand? HORNBECK: Right now Face À Face. It's a French designer and (has) many color combinations. They are still very wearable, though. For someone who wants to take a little step out of the box, it's great. FREEMAN: Are young people more experimental FREEMAN: What about with their choice of eyeeyeglasses intrigues you? glasses? HORNBECK: Glasses are HORNBECK: You would really more of an accessory think so, but no, they are piece – like a great pair of not. Young people are very shoes or handbag. It's no concerned with what other longer this blendy, blendy people think. They tend to thing that you try to make be less risk-seeking. You get unnoticeable. It's part of a 65-year-old woman in here your look, part of your out- and she'll wear crazy colors fit, part of how people perand different shapes, ceive you. because she doesn't care. To Daniel Gaitan/Freeman Staff Now, most people find that a lot of people coming out of Paula Hornbeck poses in front of her latest designer eyeglasses one pair of glasses doesn't school, they are concerned display. suit everything they do. about being on trend. A Face À Face display at Eye Candy that offers wearable color frames. FREEMAN: How much are your most expensive glasses? HORNBECK: About $1,500. If you're thinking between $300 to $500 we have a good range. FREEMAN: Why don't you sell brands like Chanel or Versace? HORNBECK: They are BRING YOUR NIGHT TO LIFE. MILWAUKEE'S BEST DINING, BARS, LIVE MUSIC AND HIGH-ENERGY GAMING ALL UNDER ONE ROOF. BRING YOUR NIGHT TO LIFE AT POTAWATOMI. PAYSBIG.COM • MILWAUKEE • 1-800-PAYSBIG • MAKE A SURE BET—KNOW YOUR LIMIT. available at every other eyeglass store and so many people have those. We offer a more unique selection. We bring in lines that are not as common to the area. We sell each frame only once, so once it's gone we don't bring it back in. That ensures each person gets a unique look. Email: dgaitan@conleynet.com