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Team Members & Photos

Julie Sherman Josh Gamer Ed.D. Rob Ecker

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https://wedc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Manufacturing-Profile-2026.pdf

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https://www.league.org/partner-offer/six-community-college-trends-watch-2025

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Western SACA Results

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From One Program to a Statewide Model

Align

Align�Curriculum with SACA

Certify

Certify�Faculty

Equip

Equip�Industry 4.0 learning environments

Embed

Embed�Credentials into programs

Share

Share�Resources across institutions

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What We Learned Along the Way

1. Buy-in matters.�Faculty and administrators need to see the value.

2. Faculty capacity matters.�Certification and curriculum development take time.

3. Equipment matters—but it's not the whole solution.

4. Build sustainability into the plan from the beginning.

5. Collaboration multiplies impact.

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Implementing SACA Across Wisconsin

  • Faculty certification and professional development
    • Train a single person and share
  • Create Industry 4.0 learning environments
    • Amatrol equipment is aligned with SACA Certs and comes with Curriculum
  • Embed certifications in programs
    • Mechatronics and Automation Engineering naturally cover some of the certifications
  • Create program to cover other certifications
    • Automation Integration program covers 21 certificates that transfer to the UW Stout Automation Leadership program

​

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Impact on Students

  • Higher credential attainment
  • Improved workforce readiness
  • Confidence with emerging technologies
  • Clear evidence of competencies for employers

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Transfer Pathways & Stackable Credentials

• 21 credits can transfer to Stout Automation Leadership program

• Opportunity for students to complete transferable credentials in Mechatronics and Automation Engineering.

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Lessons Learned

• What worked: collaboration with UW-Stout

• Challenges: scheduling, faculty time, equipment costs

• Importance of faculty and administrator buy-in

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Sustainability After Grant Funding

• Embed costs into operating budgets – SACA tests will be expensive, but still a good value to save tuition costs

• Build industry partnerships

• Share curriculum and resources statewide

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Looking Ahead

• Scale successful models across Wisconsin

• Work with colleges to “share” equipment by collecting information about what tests are available at each location

• Pursue future grant opportunities

• Expand SACA adoption and partnerships

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Discussion & Questions

• How can Wisconsin continue scaling Industry 4.0 talent development?

• Questions and discussion

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