Church Mutual Insurance Company has earned the prestigious Futuremakers Partner award from Wisconsin Technical College System in recognition of its dynamic and enduring partnership with Wausau-based Northcentral Technical College.
“Church Mutual Insurance Company is one of the most community-minded companies that I have had the privilege of working with,” said Northcentral Technical College president Lori Weyers, who also serves on Church Mutual’s board of directors and understands the company’s dedication to education. “As a strong supporter of NTC, the company has been instrumental in providing opportunities for our students, including Church Mutual IT Scholars, which provides students with a career pathway in information technology, and The Branch, which supports entrepreneurial skills development and ensures economic vitality for the region.”
Commenting on the Futuremakers Partner award, Church Mutual president and CEO Rich Poirier said, “I am humbled by this honor and proud of our team for continuing Church Mutual’s long history of being involved with education. Tomorrow’s workforce needs encouragement and assistance today, and I’m pleased we can have a hand in that important transition.”
The Church Mutual IT Scholars program, established in 2015, provides financial assistance to graduating high school seniors who are interested in careers in information technology. Qualified participants receive full financial assistance for their associate degreesin IT at NTC, as well as their required bachelor’s degrees. They also have the opportunity to work at Church Mutual during their studies and qualify for full-time employment after graduation.
The Branch, launched in 2016 with premier investment of $250,000 from Church Mutual, is an entrepreneurial skills accelerator program designed to foster student development and help keep top talent in the region. The program is led by the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce and based on the NTC campus.
“The Futuremaker Partners include some of Wisconsin’s leading companies,” said Wisconsin Technical College System president Morna Foy. “The leadership within these companies understand the important role the technical colleges play in their success, and we are pleased to join Northcentral Technical College to honor Church Mutual.”
Church Mutual has a strong dedication to education, which complements its strength in technology. From launching a pilot program using drones for property assessment and inspection to offering free temperature sensors to houses of worship at risk for burst pipes, the company has embraced the Internet of Things. Applying IoT thinking to the unique needs of its customers demonstrates the company’s industry leadership and knowledge of its customers’ unique challenges.