Subawardee

UW-La Crosse

Project Lead

Project Description

Dr. Eric Strauss, Professor in the Department of Biology and Director of the River Studies Center at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL), will lead efforts in collaboration with UWL’s Graduate & Extended Learning to develop and pilot customized, accessible microcredential curriculum to provide accessible upskilling needed by employers. In particular, UWL has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the JF Brennan Company that includes a public-private partnership on a credential curriculum for workforce development in the water sector. The pilot program will establish a model for assessing employer needs and developing future microcredentialing curriculum within high demand areas throughout the state (e.g., STEM skills, oral/written communication, agroecosystem sustainability, cultural diversity and inclusion, and freshwater science).

Multiple regional employers have requested targeted workforce training from UWL to fill skills gaps. Although essential to sustained economic health and vitality, degree programs are not economical or efficient to meet the immediate needs of employers. However, stackable microcredentials provide an alternative opportunity for workers and employers to access targeted, flexible, economical, and accessible workforce training opportunities. After assessing program availability at UW System and other local higher education institutions, there is minimal availability of non-credit microcredential programming for workforce development in the state and none within Western Wisconsin. We will further innovate using new digital badging technology to track microcredentials. Curriculum will be designed and customized for accessibility to current employees and according to employer needs, which can include entirely online, in-person, or hybrid course instruction.

River management for transporting agricultural commodities along our inland waterways supports an essential and environmentally sustainable transportation system. The skills required in large-river management and associated environmental services are becoming highly technical [e.g., using multi-beam sonar systems and operating areal and submerged remotely operated vehicles (ROV)]. There is a significant workforce need in this area. UWL is uniquely poised to move the curriculum in these areas.

The 26 interdisciplinary faculty members of the UWL River Studies Center (RSC) have considerable background in sustainable agriculture's environmental and social aspects, particularly in sustainable water and resource management and water quality protection. Several RSC members are already engaged in developing microcredentialing curricula in a publicprivate partnership with the JF Brennan Company based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The JF Brennan Company is highly involved in environmental services that support the inland waterway transport of agricultural commodities on the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes.

The UWL River Studies Center is requesting support for two graduate assistantships (GAs) to help support faculty with research and curricular development. The GAs would also assist in community engagement with JF Brennan Company and other local private enterprises involved in sustainable agriculture (e.g., Organic Valley Cooperative and Superior Fresh). Additionally, funding is requested for administrative fees for UWL Graduate & Extended Learning to support the purchase of digital badging software, microcredentialing curriculum development, outreach to area employers to assess employee professional development needs, and related costs.

Award Amount

$70,000