WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Since 2019, WSU Tech has piloted MRW Work Etch Certification, a program through the mikeroweWORKS Foundation to promote the skilled workforce across the United States Foundation namesake Mike Rowe is known to many as the host of the popular show, “Dirty Jobs,” which took place in Wichita on Tuesday and shined a bright light on the program’s success at Kansas State through WSU Tech.
Mr Rowe founded the mikeroweWORKS Foundation in 2008 to campaign for skilled and trade jobs and struggled to find employees.
“Recruiting is a big issue today. There are currently more than 8 million positions in the country. Most of them don’t require a four-year degree and the training you receive at a place like (WSU Tech). We need it,” Lowe said.
Schools like WSU Tech work in partnership with the Lowe Foundation.
“We have had the good fortune to work with Mike Rowe and his team to develop the Work Ethics Curriculum. This curriculum is now integrated into every class for every student, and Mike Rowe… We are also industry certified by Mr. Lowe,” said Sherry, WSU Tech President. Yutash.
This certification is designed to help students find and keep a job.
“This is important because when our students go into the workplace, they not only have the knowledge, technical knowledge and skills, but also a behavioral understanding of what a good work ethic is. Because we also have it,” Yutash said.
Lowe continues to emphasize hope for overall U.S. growth
“I think what’s happening (in Wichita) could be a template for this country. There are some people who really get it right, and (WSU Tech) was on the cutting edge of that.”
Since implementing the certification on WSU Tech’s campus, nearly 2,000 students have completed the program. For more information about the curriculum and Rowe’s foundation, visit https://mikeroweworks.org/curriculum/.
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