RICE LAKE, WI — Employers across northwestern Wisconsin continue to express overwhelming confidence in graduates of Northwood Technical College, citing strong skills, workforce readiness and educational quality, according to the latest employer satisfaction findings.
At the statewide level, employers reported that:
- 97% were satisfied with technical college graduates’ education
- 96% would hire a Wisconsin Technical College System graduate again
- 92% would recommend a technical college graduate to other employers
- 97% said their local technical college is important to the success of their business
At Northwood Tech, local employers reported that:
- 98% were satisfied with graduates’ education
- 96% would hire a Northwood Tech graduate again
- 92% would recommend Northwood Tech graduates to another employer
Northwood Tech’s results met or exceeded statewide findings across all three comparable measures. Local employer satisfaction was 1 percentage point higher than the statewide rate, while the percentages who would hire a graduate again or recommend graduates to another employer matched statewide results.
Strong Graduate Outcomes
Employer confidence in technical college graduates is also reflected in employment and earnings data from the WTCS Graduate Outcomes Report.
Statewide, the report found that:
- 92% of graduates in the labor force were employed within six months of graduation
- 81% were working in careers related to their education
- Associate degree graduates reported a median annual salary of just over $60,000 within six months of graduation
Northwood Tech graduates also reported strong employment, earnings and regional workforce outcomes:
- 90% of graduates in the labor market were employed within six months of graduation
- 67% were employed full time in a field related to their education
- Graduates reported an average annual salary of $57,166
- 62% of graduates worked in Wisconsin
- 53% of graduates worked within the Northwood Tech district
Several Northwood Tech programs reported particularly strong earnings. Among programs with at least three graduates employed full time in related fields who reported earnings, the five highest average annual salaries were:
- Nursing-Associate Degree: $80,248
- Truck Driving: $72,005
- Welding: $65,056
- EMT-Paramedic Technician: $63,674
- Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement: $62,047
“Northwood Tech is proud to be part of a system that delivers such impressive outcomes across Wisconsin, especially given our location in a rural area where students often face barriers to pursuing postsecondary education,” said Dr. John Will, president of Northwood Tech. “With 98% of local employers satisfied with our graduates’ education, 96% willing to hire a Northwood Tech graduate again and 53% of graduates working within the Northwood Tech district, the results demonstrate the value our college provides to students, employers and communities throughout northwestern Wisconsin.”
According to Lightcast data, Northwood Tech’s programs align with several of northwestern Wisconsin’s highest-demand employment sectors, including health care, advanced manufacturing, automation, skilled trades and transportation. As employers compete for qualified workers, the college provides education and training that support regional economic growth, address workforce needs and prepare students for advancement in industries critical to the region’s future.
Employers Value Workforce-Ready Graduates
The findings reflect Northwood Tech’s strong partnerships with employers throughout northwestern Wisconsin and the college’s efforts to align programs with regional workforce needs.
“Our hands-on education empowers students to realize their own success stories by preparing them for well-paying careers while helping employers meet critical workforce needs in health care, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, transportation and other high-demand industries,” Will said. “It is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our employees and students that our graduates are so important to our employer partners, and it reflects the strong industry partnerships that support workforce development, economic growth and stronger communities across our region.”
As an example, a recent free training offered through Northwood Tech’s Mobile Welding Lab at the New Richmond Campus served employees from Donaldson Co. Inc. and Burnett Dairy Cooperative’s Cady Cheese Plant, along with other individuals enrolled in the course. Funded through a Worker Advancement Initiative grant and offered in partnership with the West Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, the training helped participants strengthen their welding skills while helping local employers develop a more skilled and versatile workforce.
“We were very pleased to have our employees participate in the mobile welding training program through Northwood Technical College,” said Joe Boutwell, maintenance manager for Burnett Dairy Cooperative. “The training provided valuable hands-on instruction that strengthened our team’s welding skills while reinforcing best practices for safety, quality and efficiency. In a maintenance environment, properly trained employees allow us to complete repairs more effectively, reduce downtime and improve the overall reliability of our equipment.”
“Investing in employee development through programs like this not only enhances individual skills but also creates immediate benefits for our organization,” Boutwell said. “Better-trained employees are more confident in their work, can take on a wider range of responsibilities and contribute to higher-quality outcomes across the operation. The training has helped us build a more capable and versatile maintenance team, which ultimately supports productivity and long-term business success.”
Boutwell also noted the value of making workforce training more accessible to local employers. “We appreciate the partnership with Northwood Technical College and the effort to bring this training directly to local employers,” he said. “Opportunities like these make it easier for companies to invest in workforce development while minimizing disruptions to daily operations.”
About the Survey
The WTCS employer satisfaction survey measures employer perceptions of graduates' skills, education and workplace readiness. Combined with graduate outcomes data, the results demonstrate the value Wisconsin technical colleges deliver to students, employers and communities across the state. To learn more about Northwood Tech, visit NorthwoodTech.edu.
About Northwood Technical College
Northwood Technical College, a nationally top-ranked college and 2026-27 Gold Military Friendly School, has served the educational and career needs of more than 14,000 residents of Northwest Wisconsin each year for 115 years. Support of our donors is appreciated as it removes financial roadblocks for students. To help, visit NorthwoodTech.edu/donate.
Northwood Tech is a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer and Educator. For more information, visit NorthwoodTech.edu or call 800.243.9482.
Last Update: Aug 07, 2026 10:19 am CDT
