August 7, 2024
By Lane Kimble
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — She jokingly calls herself a “basement dweller” – a nod to her classroom’s location in Ottensman Hall at UW-Platteville – but make no mistake: Jodi Pluemer and her small team’s work is helping make sure Wisconsin’s transportation system lives up to the highest possible standards.
Pluemer, a UW-P graduate herself, walked the WTBA Board of Directors through her Highway Technician Certification Program (HTCP) during its bi-monthly meeting Tuesday.
“I was here (as a student) in the 90s and I didn’t even know this was a thing. Now I’m like, this is the foundation,” Pluemer said. “If you want to have good roads and infrastructure out there, you’ve got to make sure that the people touching the tiers are doing it the right way.”
As HTCP Director, Pluemer oversees coursework and training for 14 certifications, including asphalt sampling, concrete strength testing, grading technology, and nuclear density testing.
There are 10 training sites around Wisconsin where about 50 instructors – made up of industry, association, and WisDOT experts – provide upwards of 2,000 certifications a year.
UW-Platteville’s HTCP program started in 1991.
Wisconsin must have a program in order to receive Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding.
Much has changed in Pluemer’s eight years with the program. Students now have an online portal for registration, course tracking, and testing, something she calls a “game changer.” The HTCP staff also constantly updates manuals, holds annual instructor gatherings to share ideas and build unity, and recognizes outstanding technicians with an annual Quality Management Program award.
“We are so unique here on this campus… no one knows that we exist,” Pluemer said, somewhat sarcastically. “I really enjoy my job because of the people. The people are what it is… Matt (Grove) has been the one that’s always calling and checking in on me… We really have come a long way in the last eight years and (I appreciate your) continuous support.”
UW-P Construction Safety Management Program Coordinator Gretchen Bockenhauer followed Pluemer’s presentation.
She noted the program has grown significantly in recent years, added a new major in construction science management, held safety training sessions for WisDOT field staff, and holds an annual Construction Career Day featuring 38 industry partners and more than 300 students.
“We have students coming to our program and being flown in by their parents,” Bockenhauer said.
“I had two families fly in because a company had recommended they come to this school because of the industry connections, what we’re teaching and our safety program.”
