Butler Advances Technical College Students with Carpentry Pathway Partnership

Photo: (Left to Right): Dr. Peter Linden, Dean of Career and Technical Education; Dr. Tamara Daniel, President of Butler Community College; Dr. Barry Robinson, Vice President of Academics at Butler; Lisa Riedel, Dean of Pitt State's Crossland College of Technology; Susan Bon, Executive Vice President and Provost at Pitt State; Andy Klenke, Director of Pitt State's School of Technology & Workforce Learning; Byron McKay, professor for Career & Technical Education at Pitt State; Rodney Ford, Representative-Western MO&KS, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council; Jake Kirk, Representative-Western MO&KS, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council; Mike Himes, Representative-Western MO&KS, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council.

On Tuesday, October 28, Butler Community College partnered with Mid-America Carpenters’ Regional Council of Apprentice & Training Program (MACRCATP) and Pittsburg State University to enhance technical careers in carpentry. This partnership offers apprentices a pathway to a two-year associate degree from Butler and a four-year bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State.

“At Butler Community College, we are intentional about forming partnerships that bridge education and industry,” President Dr. Tamara Daniel said. “This collaboration with Pittsburg State University expands opportunity for skilled workers to turn apprenticeship experience into recognized academic credentials.”

Apprentices must successfully complete 36 credit hours through MACRCATP. Apprentices may then transfer those credits to Butler and complete 26 credit hours of General Education courses face-to-face or online to earn Butler’s Workforce Division: Workforce Development Applied Science (AAS) Degree.

Upon completion of Butler’s Workforce Division associate degree, students can then work toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science with a Technology Management emphasis at Pittsburg State University.

“The partnership between Butler and PSU reinforces the modern importance of directly linking completers of formal skilled trades apprenticeships to a college degree resulting in expanded professional opportunities within their field,” said Dr. Peter Linden, Butler’s dean of career and technical education. “Additionally, all related Butler and PSU courses are fully online making the value-added pursuit of college convenient and accessible while employed.”

“This program was built for skilled professionals who are ready to move from the technical side of their field into management,” said Pittsburg State Associate Professor Byron McKay, program director. “It allows students to build on what they already know and prepares them to lead teams, projects and operations in a wide range of industries.”

“The College of Technology is proud to offer a program that meets an important statewide workforce need,” said Lisa Riedle, dean of the College of Technology at Pittsburg State. “Employers are looking for professionals who understand both technology and people. This degree creates a seamless path for those with technical backgrounds to move into vital management positions.”

“Relationships matter, and this is a great partnership to be part of with two prestigious schools,” said Mike Himes, Representative-Western MO&KS, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council. “This will help individuals out when they pursue their goals in the industry, and [it] gives our members the opportunity to grow in their careers, and that is the main thing.”

For questions, please email Butler Interim Director of Career and Workforce Education Jon Cressler at jcressler@butlercc.edu.

Interested in investing in your carpentry workforce career? Fill out our interest form at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/utr7v24j40.

To view the photo album, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/butlercc/albums/72177720329950975/with/54885393057.