When ABB, an international leader in power and automation technologies, offered a co-op position to Wake Tech student David Wingler, the company strengthened an already-powerful partnership. David, who studied electronics engineering, got the opportunity to work at ABB’s facility in New Berlin, Wisconsin, in the summer of 2013, focusing on industrial control systems. “It was an exciting opportunity,” he says. “Wake Tech instructors prepared me with hands-on training, and it’s great to be able to use what I’ve learned!”

This was the first time that ABB had offered a co-op opportunity to a Wake Tech student, and it reaffirmed the support the company pledged to the college in 2012. ABB made a generous three-year, $150,000 commitment to Wake Tech’s major gifts campaign, called “The Ripple Effect.” The gift will provide scholarships for outstanding students, encourage creative faculty initiatives, and help Wake Tech leverage technology and equipment to serve the community better. The ultimate goal is to have a positive and lasting impact on the local job market and the regional economy.

The Wake Tech-ABB partnership is truly a “win-win” – for the college, the company, and the community. Thanks to ABB’s support, students like David train on cutting-edge equipment while enjoying access to scholarships and employment opportunities. Wake Tech can offer modern facilities and learn industry perspectives that help to improve instructional curricula. ABB expands its pool of qualified workers and provides its employees with leadership and mentoring opportunities. It’s a partnership with a powerful “ripple effect” for all!

David went on to earn an Associate in Applied Science degree, and was awarded the 2014 Academic Excellence Award for the Applied Engineering and Technologies Division.