Company History & Timeline

Education to Labor Unions

Worwetz Education Systems (WES) was created in June of 1995 by synchronizing three labor education contracts with the United Auto Workers (UAW) and an affiliation with the University of North Florida's Division of Continuing Education and Extension. During its youth the company concentrated on providing adult basic  education (ABE) and seminars.

State Licensed Continuing Education Seminars

From 1996-1998 WES added a permanent Education Development Counselor to provide tuition assistance planning and advising for the UAW-GM projects. WES expanded its continuing education service line, becoming certified to provide CEUs for Florida's Department of Insurance  Division of Workers Compensation, summarily contracting 10 speakers to run seminars.

Grants Consulting

Strengthening ties with UNF, Worwetz authored a $ 1/2 million grant application forming the Correctional Education Network for Training and Innovative Resources, a statewide consortium (CENTIR) plan for distance education in Florida's prison system. UNF continued to use WES as consultant for other  bids, including ISO 9000 courses.

Computer Courses, Service & Support

When the UAW-GM Electromotive Division closed, WES developed the employee transition center, upgrading its list of computer skills courses to provide laid-off workers a better opportunity to gain high tech skills. A similar expansion of service was offered the Jacksonville GM Service Parts Skill Center, quadrupling enrollment in the center.

Worwetz reorganized WES to meet the technological demands of the market, establishing the Advanced Technologies Workgroup, a COMPTIA certified center staffed by two A+,Network+ and MCSE certified computer professionals. The WES AT Workgroup focuses on computer networking, support, repair, solutions and training. As a natural development, Worwetz began web site development in 1999, authoring, promoting and maintaining web sites and intranets for its world class clients.

Worwetz has authored 57 computer technology courses and has enrolled 50% of the local UAW-GM membership, earning acclaim by the national network of UAW-GM skill centers and Dick Schoemaker, VP United Auto Workers. Worwetz regularly provides consulting for deploying and marketing learning centers throughout the nation, particularly advising how to best implement a technology curriculum.

Expanding Technology Solutions & Training

In 2001 WES allied with Chicago-based Mercil Communications and has developed plans for the federal Learning Anytime Anywhere Program. Work with Mercil focused on developing and marketing Train Reaction training software, an independent platform testing/survey software which gives trainers and test administrators complete control over test/survey creation, Internet delivery, student and group reporting.

Continuing Education Centers

WES's operated two public training labs and one private center for the United Auto Workers and General Motors in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2002, because of the dive in corporate spending, Worwetz closed the Baymeadows training lab. The main office has been relocated to within the Advanced Tech service center near Orange Park Florida.

The UAW-GM Skill Center for Service Parts Operation remains in operation and Bud Worwetz administers the program through his professorship under St Johns River Community College.