Milwaukee Area Technical College
Encyclopedia
Milwaukee Area Technical College (or MATC) is a two-year vocational-technical college
based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
. MATC offers day, evening, and weekend classes at campuses in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek
, West Allis
, and Mequon
. Enrollment is about 60,000. MATC offers over a dozen accredited associate degrees, as well as well over a hundred vocational licenses, job training certificates, and adult enrichment courses. MATC also runs GED and HSED classes at local community-based organizations and offers high school diplomas through its Adult High School program.
One of MATC's educational outreach programs is the operation of two PBS
stations serving southeastern Wisconsin. The stations, WMVS
channel 10 and WMVT
channel 36, are known collectively as Milwaukee Public Television
. In 1992, in partnership with Zenith Corp. and AT&T, Channel 10 produced the nation’s first test broadcast of a digital television signal. In March 2000, the station became the first in Wisconsin to begin regular broadcast of digital, high-definition programs. MATC entered the wireless digital era in 2003, becoming the first college in Wisconsin to provide wireless Internet service throughout all campuses.
Milwaukee Area Technical College traces its roots to an innovative Wisconsin law in 1911. The purpose was to encourage young adults who dropped out of high school in order to work full time (a common necessity at that time) to continue their education part time. Employers were required to allow workers to attend and students could participate in the evenings. This innovative approach to education was a first of its kind in the U.S. and quickly spread to other cities in Wisconsin.
The Continuation School was established in 1912 near Mason Street and the Milwaukee River
. Its name was changed to the Milwaukee Vocational School in 1916 as trade skills were emphasized. Enrollment grew quickly and by 1923 a new six story building was completed at 7th & State Street, to be named the Milwaukee Area Technical College.
(WTCS). The district is governed by a nine-member board composed of residents of the district. Board members serve without pay and are appointed to three-year terms by an appointment committee that consists of elected officials from the 21 school districts within the MATC District.
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
. MATC offers day, evening, and weekend classes at campuses in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek
Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Oak Creek is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 28,456 at the 2000 census. In 2009, its population was estimated at 33,946.-History:...
, West Allis
West Allis, Wisconsin
West Allis is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. The population was 61,254 at the 2000 census. Its name derives from Edward P. Allis, who started the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company in the 19th century. The site of the town was...
, and Mequon
Mequon, Wisconsin
Mequon is a city in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. It had a population of 21,823 at the 2000 census, and an estimated population of 23,739 in July 2009...
. Enrollment is about 60,000. MATC offers over a dozen accredited associate degrees, as well as well over a hundred vocational licenses, job training certificates, and adult enrichment courses. MATC also runs GED and HSED classes at local community-based organizations and offers high school diplomas through its Adult High School program.
One of MATC's educational outreach programs is the operation of two PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
stations serving southeastern Wisconsin. The stations, WMVS
WMVS
WMVS is a public television station located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its signal covers most of southeastern Wisconsin, including the cities of Racine, Kenosha, Sheboygan, and Waukesha....
channel 10 and WMVT
WMVT
WMVT is a public television station located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its signal covers most of southeastern Wisconsin, including the cities of Racine, Kenosha, Sheboygan, and Waukesha....
channel 36, are known collectively as Milwaukee Public Television
Milwaukee Public Television
For information on Channels 10 and 36 individually, see WMVS and WMVTMilwaukee Public Television is the branding name for the alliance between two Milwaukee based Public Broadcasting Service public television affiliates: WMVS, Channel 10, and WMVT, Channel 36...
. In 1992, in partnership with Zenith Corp. and AT&T, Channel 10 produced the nation’s first test broadcast of a digital television signal. In March 2000, the station became the first in Wisconsin to begin regular broadcast of digital, high-definition programs. MATC entered the wireless digital era in 2003, becoming the first college in Wisconsin to provide wireless Internet service throughout all campuses.
Milwaukee Area Technical College traces its roots to an innovative Wisconsin law in 1911. The purpose was to encourage young adults who dropped out of high school in order to work full time (a common necessity at that time) to continue their education part time. Employers were required to allow workers to attend and students could participate in the evenings. This innovative approach to education was a first of its kind in the U.S. and quickly spread to other cities in Wisconsin.
The Continuation School was established in 1912 near Mason Street and the Milwaukee River
Milwaukee River
The Milwaukee River is a river in the state of Wisconsin. It is about long.- Description :The river begins in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin and flows south past Grafton to downtown Milwaukee, where it empties into Lake Michigan...
. Its name was changed to the Milwaukee Vocational School in 1916 as trade skills were emphasized. Enrollment grew quickly and by 1923 a new six story building was completed at 7th & State Street, to be named the Milwaukee Area Technical College.
The MATC District
The MATC District is one of 16 districts that make up the Wisconsin Technical College SystemWisconsin Technical College System
Wisconsin Technical College System is a group of 16 technical colleges in Wisconsin.-History:The Wisconsin Legislature passed laws in 1911 requiring cities with a population of 5000 or more to set up trade schools, and a school board to control them...
(WTCS). The district is governed by a nine-member board composed of residents of the district. Board members serve without pay and are appointed to three-year terms by an appointment committee that consists of elected officials from the 21 school districts within the MATC District.