Factors determind attrition in high wage technical fields at Western Wisconsin Technical College

Abstract

Research indicates that American Business and industry are struggling to find the skilled labor to fill positions needed to keep many industries competitive in today’s global market. At Western Wisconsin Technical College, three-program areas that are high wage and have a strong employment outlook are also experiencing high attrition rates. The objective of this study is to determine factors that are contributing to the attrition rate in each of these program areas; Medical Laboratory Technician, Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration and Administrative Assistant Information Processing. A Likert survey will be mailed to all program leavers and graduates in these three program areas to determine what were the major reasons these students did or did not finish the program they had registered for. The primary factors that will be explored include academic and career preparation prior to enrollment, course scheduling, and personal challenges. Personal challenges include financial reasons, childcare, and lack of family support, transportation and personal health. Literature that is available regarding factors that influence and improve retention in two-year technical college programs will be examined. This research along with the data received from this survey will provide the basis for each program area to consider improvements that will increase retention rates and better meet the labor market needs in today’s global market.