Scholarship Passport Program
Current university students in their 4th or 5th year interested in hands-on training at Quad/Graphics' modern printing plants in the United States should apply for this fully paid training opportunity. The Scholarship Passport is the main prize in a contest organized by QuadWinkowski and Quad/Graphics. The scholarship includes a one-year enrollment in Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) in Wisconsin, and hands-on experience in Quad/Graphics' printing plants. All costs of staying in the U.S. and travel are covered by Quad/Graphics, and pay is earned while working in the plants.
Angeline E. Quadracci
Angeline (nee Wierzbicka) was the mother of late Quad/Graphics founder Harry V. Quadracci, as well as Harry's two younger brothers, Dr. Leonard Quadracci and Thomas Quadracci.
All three at one time worked in the company, as did Angeline's husband, Harry (Senior) Quadracci. Upon her death in 2003, Angeline's will established a scholarship fund for the specific purpose of identifying promising young Polish students who, upon receiving special U.S. training in the field of printing, would return to their home country to become young industry leaders.
The scholarship program was created and in Poland it is known as Scholarship Passport.
Scholarship Passport consists of two components: theoretical classroom instruction and hands-on training at Quad/Graphics' modern printing plants. Southeast Wisconsin is a widely known printing center and Waukesha County Technical College is a national hub for technical education and technological innovation in printing and graphic arts.
Studying at WCTC
Scholarship recipients will enroll in a one-year commercial printing program at Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC). Classroom instruction is conducted at the WCTC campus in Pewaukee, Wis. Students learn in the new Harry V. Quadracci Printing Education and Technology Center, a 23,600 square-foot wing of the existing Quadracci Printing and Graphics Center.
They will take four courses during each semester for a total of 24 credits, which represent
a full-time schedule based on criteria established by WCTC. (Minor adjustments in course selections and schedules for the second semester may be made based on the students' first semester experiences.) When school is in session, recipients will spend 50% of their total training program attending classes. At the conclusion of the one-year program, the recipients receive Technical Certificates in Printing Technologies from WCTC.
For descriptions of WCTC's commercial printing program, curriculum and class schedules,
click here.
To find more information about Waukesha County Technical College go to: www.wctc.edu
Working at Q/G
The second component of the Scholarship Passport Program is on-the-job training at Quad/Graphics, which involves rotations in production and administration. Trainees spend one-half of each week in one of Quad/Graphics' plants in Wisconsin – in Lomira, Hartford, Sussex, Pewaukee and West Allis.
The specific purpose of the in-plant training component of the scholarship program is to give outstanding Polish students the opportunity to have real-world experiences at Quad/Graphics' state-of-the-art facilities, which they can utilize in their professional careers in their home country. The first half of each trainee's in-plant training program will be spent building a technical foundation in core print production areas, including imaging, digital platemaking, cylinder engraving, offset press, gravure press, saddle stitching, perfect binding and co-mailing. The trainees' rotation through pressroom and post-press operations in our Wisconsin plants will allow them to see and learn about the newest, most advanced manufacturing platform in the industry. Rotations to Quad/Tech and Distribution are also available depending on the trainee's interests. The scholarship students will observe how each production area operates under the guidance and instruction of a Corporate Training Program Manager. Each trainee will be given opportunities for “hands-on” participation in each production area, although he or she will not supplant U.S. production workers and will not be part of the regular production crew.
The trainees will not engage in any unsupervised work.
Once the trainees have completed their production rotations, we will work with them to structure an administrative experience that matches their interests. Administrative rotations can include but are not limited to Scheduling, Estimating, Customer Service and Sales.
The scholarship winners are invited to work for Quad/Graphics as trainees. Their main task is to get familiar with everything that happens inside the company, the processes, and about the printing business in general. The life of a trainee does not end with the job itself. Every once in awhile integration and educational meetings are held, where trainees are gathered to listen to lectures, talk about their experience and spend a nice evening together. During these meetings they have an opportunity to talk with company directors and VPs. Apart from their work life, the trainees are able to see the sights of Milwaukee and the surrounding area.
Past Scholarship Passport winners
2004: Joanna Chamera; Grzegorz Pałyska
2005: Dominika Ciok; Andrzej Sędziński
2006: Alicja Grundo; Bartosz Ciesiołkiewicz
2007: Aleksandra Grządziel (Rzuchowska); Dariusz Dziewulski;
Przemysław Raszeja; Marcin Karkocha
2008: Katarzyna Wysoczańska; Grzegorz Stortz; Rafał Sawicki
2009: Marta Małkowska; Tomasz Szmit
Amazing adventure! A full year of living and working in the U.S. is much more than regular sightseeing. I was afraid of taking a year off at my home university, but it was definitely worth it. After coming back, I was keeping in touch with the company at the same time finishing my studies. Currently working in Pila. I can honestly say that the contest has changed my life.
Ola Grzadziel
With that scholarship I gained not only massive work experience and language skills, but I also met great people and went deep into American culture. It was a lesson of life. It cannot be described – you just have to try it yourself.
Asia Chamera
It was both very nice and useful... an interesting adventure and opportunity to meet the culture and life in the U.S., but also a great chance to learn something substantial, getting familiar with new technologies and gaining experience. Everyone can find something interesting in Quad/Graphics. Those who are interested in learning in the U.S. will surely value the courses held at WCTC. I remembered the classes as very practical, focused on DTP, graphics, and file preparations – I found it very interesting. Would I be willing to go there again? Sure! I can pack my things, and leave for another year with QG at any moment...
Darek Dziewulski
Competition rules
The competition is open to students in their final year of obtaining a masters or bachelors degree. Technical and business programs are preferred. Knowledge of graphic design software and press technologies is an asset. University grades will be also taken into consideration.
We require English language proficiency and a desire to learn and excel in the latest print manufacturing processes.
Registering in the system is required to apply. If you want to submit your application go to Careers/Training Opportunities tab and apply.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us: studenci@quadwinkowski.pl
Each year the competition for Scholarship Passports is announced at various Polish universities. At some of the schools, presentations are held to give students a closer look at the scholarship advantages and responsibilities. To hear such a presentation at your university, please feel free to contact us at studenci@quadwinkowski.pl