Heavy Equipment Operator Class Graduates 5 from LCO

Submitted by

Richard and Audrey Costerisan

Siren, WI

The following letter regards Five LCO tribal members graduating the six-week Accelerated, Customized Heavy Equipment Training program:

Read previous article here

Nestled across Hwy. 35 from the Burnett County Government Center is a small school that is making a big impact on the lives of its students. This school offers job training right here in Siren.

On Friday, Jan. 31, we had the pleasure of attending the graduation of eight highly trained and motivated students at Softec Education Inc. At the graduation, State Rep. Nick Milroy presented the graduates with a plaque from the state on behalf of himself and state Sens. Janet Bewley and Patti Schachtner to recognize their accomplishments. The students also received a graduation certificate from Softec.

Attending tribal leaders, families and friends were on hand to honor the graduates' achievement of completing a six-week, concentrated and high-tech class that made them job-ready to operate heavy construction machinery. Industry representatives were there to offer support for the training program and jobs for the graduates. Most graduates are hired into this high-paying occupation on or shortly after finishing the class.

Thanks to Softec Education Inc. and local industry, students of all ages have a chance at getting training and a good­ paying job in a profession that allows them to live and raise their families right here in Burnett County. To continue this benefit to our families and the local economy we all need to get behind this innovative training program.

You can support Softec with a tax­free donation and help spread the word to job seekers that this training is here waiting to be taken advantage of. To learn more about this opportunity visit softeteducation.org

Included in the photo front row L-R) Graduates Penny Nickence and Aimee Stands, St. Croix Council member, Francis Songetey and LCO Secretary-Treasurer Michelle Beaudin. Standing from L-R) Graduate Jason Fleming, LCO Vice Chairwoman Lorraine Gouge, WI State Assemblyman Nick Milroy, Graduate Josh Luce, Tim DJock, owner of Train Skills Management Certified Heavy Equipment Training, and LCO graduate Stephen Milam on the right. Three other persons in the photo are St. Croix graduates.