Milwaukee Area Technical College President Dr. Anthony Cruz’s opinion piece on dual enrollment appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Monday, March 2.
Wisconsin’s workforce is changing faster than ever before. Technology, new industries, and a shifting economy mean that the idea of one job lasting a lifetime is no longer the reality for most workers. To keep pace, we must rethink not only how we prepare people for work, but when that preparation begins.
One of the most effective ways to meet this moment is through dual enrollment, which allows high school students to earn college credit while completing their diplomas, giving them earlier exposure to postsecondary education and clearer pathways into in-demand careers. It shortens the time to completion, lowers costs, and helps align education with real workforce needs.
At a time when employers across nearly every sector are struggling to fill skilled positions, we at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) see dual enrollment as one of the most effective tools available for our workforce strategy.
Technical colleges have long been a backbone of Wisconsin’s economy, providing practical, career-driven education that leads directly to jobs. In fact, enrollment in the Wisconsin Technical College System has risen by 18% since 2020, a sign that more students and families are seeking education that is affordable, relevant, and connected to employment.
In 2024, Wisconsin saw a 3.4% increase in dual enrollment participation, with the vast majority of credits earned through technical colleges. That matters because technical colleges are uniquely positioned to respond quickly to workforce demand. We’re able to review programs regularly, strengthen what’s working, and build new opportunities in high-growth fields like biotechnology, artificial intelligence, STEM, and advanced manufacturing.
MATC partners with 72 different high schools to offer five dual enrollment pathways: Start College Now; Dual Enrollment Academy; M-Cubed, a partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Milwaukee Public Schools, Transcripted Credit, and Contract Classes. Through these pathways, students are actively engaged in MATC coursework while still in high school.
Our future nurses, welders, cybersecurity specialists, early childhood educators, and entrepreneurs are on our campuses every day, working towards graduation. When our students succeed, employers fill these critical roles, families experience greater economic mobility, and communities grow stronger.
Dual enrollment is not just about moving faster. It is about moving smarter. It gives students confidence, reduces barriers to postsecondary education, and creates smoother transitions from high school to college and from education to employment. For many students, it is the first step toward long-term opportunity and stability.
Strengthening Wisconsin’s workforce requires collaboration among technical colleges, K-12 schools, and four-year universities, employers and policymakers. Recent conversations at the state level reflect a growing recognition of the value of these pathways. Legislative efforts, such as Senate Bill 591, are aimed at improving coordination, transparency, and access to Wisconsin’s dual enrollment opportunities.
A thoughtful, statewide approach can help ensure students and families understand their options and that credits earned in high school meaningfully count toward future degrees. At MATC, we are actively engaged in statewide discussions and aim to increase our dual enrollment participation by 10% each year.
The technical college system is one of Wisconsin’s greatest strengths. But to remain impactful, we must keep adapting to the new technologies, industries, and expectations from the people we serve. By continuing to expand dual enrollment and strengthen K-12, post-secondary, and employer partnerships, we can ensure that talent is developed, opportunity is accessible and Wisconsin’s workforce is ready for the demands of the future.
Learn more about MATC's dual enrollment programs
About MATC: As Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 35,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 180 academic programs — many that prepare students for jobs immediately upon completion and others that provide transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 45 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.