WTI and The University of Akron Launch RISE

RISE provides new educational opportunities for WTI employees and addresses construction labor shortage.

Completing a degree while working full-time can be difficult as individuals worry about how to get to campus for class or -- more importantly -- how to pay for coursework. The University of Akron (UA) and WTI (Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Tremco Incorporated) are proud to announce RISE (Roofing Individuals Succeed through Education), an exclusive educational partnership that brings new opportunities to WTI employees and their families and takes the worry out of college. Under the new partnership, WTI employees can enroll in an online, step-up, associate-to-bachelor’s degree program in construction management from UA’s College of Applied Science and Technology. The company pays 100% of the tuition for WTI employees and their dependents; coursework can be completed on a full- or part-time schedule.

Students begin in the Associate of Science in Construction Management track and have the option to continue to complete the Bachelor of Organizational Supervision in Construction Management. The associate’s degree is perfectly aligned with the first two years of the bachelor’s degree, so students who elect to continue their education can flow seamlessly into the bachelor’s degree option. Employees are eligible to apply for the program after 90 days of employment. Enrollment can start in the spring, summer or fall semesters, making it more convenient.

One unique aspect of the program is the flexibility. If an employee decides not to seek a degree, he or she can instead choose to have a dependent utilize the benefit and pursue a degree in construction management. RISE is a continuation of a strong educational partnership between Tremco and UA, with UA providing assistance to employees in GED preparation and with building and delivering apprenticeship curriculum. Coursework for the associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs is taught by instructors who understand the construction business.

“The University of Akron is an expert in providing career-focused and experiential learning that helps students get ahead in the job market,” said WTI Vice President Mardee Billingsley. “WTI and Tremco value our employees and want to give them every opportunity to learn and grow. Our partnership with UA provides that, while allowing our company to expand our business and retain loyal employees. RISE also gives us an extraordinary ability to help alleviate the construction industry’s severe labor shortage by educating a new generation of roofing professionals in both technical and business skills.” UA also recognizes the importance of educational institutions working with corporations to help meet the educational needs of today’s manufacturing workforce.

“The partnership with Tremco is important because it highlights the convergence of education and manufacturing to prepare the workforce for the needs of today and tomorrow,” said Elizabeth Kennedy, Ph.D., dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology. “Companies such as Tremco are dedicated to employee development and are paving the way for other companies to follow suit by developing models that can be easily replicated.” And UA is enthusiastic about working with employers of all types to develop unique partnerships that fit their specific needs.

“Developing programs is what we do. We meet with employers, discuss the skills they want their workforce to have, and then deliver a specialized program that needs their unique needs,” said Kennedy. “It’s important for people to be educated, and it’s our goal to help them achieve success.”

For more information, visit www.wtirise.com.