JANESVILLE, Wis. — On July 2, 17 students completed the Accelerated Industrial Maintenance (AIM) program on Blackhawk Technical College’s Beloit-Janesville campus, marking the fifth graduating class of this initiative.
Funded by a federal grant through the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (SWWDB), AIM is part of Wisconsin’s Worker Advancement Initiative, which emphasizes hands-on learning and classroom training to help individuals build skills and advance their careers.
Rhonda Suda, Chief Executive Officer of SWWDB, said, “Manufacturing is a driver industry in our area and the AIM program is a significant step toward preparing tomorrow’s workforce for the opportunities available in this industry.”
Designed for high school students or recent high school graduates, the four-week summer program consists of Blackhawk courses that provide a foundational skill set for those seeking career opportunities in industrial maintenance and technology. Participants are paid to complete the courses and earn three credits that can be applied to a degree at Blackhawk or other colleges.
Jose Guzman, a graduate of The Learning Academy, will be studying Electro-Mechanical Technology at Blackhawk following his AIM experience. “Learning is one thing, but seeing it done is another,” he said. “Thank you to the employers for showing us how things work, and the Blackhawk instructors for teaching us how they work.”
Another AIM graduate, Ryland McKinney, a Beloit Turner graduate, shared his journey to the program. “I started with Craftsman with Character and was then invited to take part in the AIM program,” he explained. “It was a blessed opportunity to get paid to learn and build a path toward our careers. Thank you!”
The program also included career exploration opportunities at local manufacturers. The Rock County AIM students took tours at the following local businesses: Scot Forge, United Alloy, Stoughton Trailers, Frito Lay, Prent and The Morse Group.
The 2026 Beloit-Janesville AIM Class included the following students from Beloit Memorial High School, Beloit Turner High School, Clinton High School, Parkview High School and The Lincoln Academy:
- Isaac Anderson
- Omar Arreguin
- Zachary Braun
- Cordale Fhlug
- Ismael Guzman
- Jose Guzman
- Zachary King
- Ayda Klein
- Na’Varion Lamm
- Lotus Martinez
- John Mathews
- Ryland McKinney
- Leonardo Shaw
- Wenzy Torres
- Jancarlos Villalva
- Devin White Henderson
- Mike Winterland
On June 30, the AIM cohort at the Monroe Campus graduated. This was the second year for AIM students at that Blackhawk campus.
About Blackhawk Technical College
Blackhawk Technical College, one of 16 colleges under the Wisconsin Technical College System, serves students and employers in Rock and Green counties with campuses in Janesville and Monroe, Wisconsin. The college has more than 6,000 credit and noncredit students enrolled in more than 70 programs. Based in Janesville, Wisconsin, it has provided education and training to area students and employers since 1912. Find out more at blackhawk.edu.
