The State of Wisconsin established a Board of Vocational and Adult Education in 1911, six years before the use of federal funds for the promotion of vocational, technical, and adult education.

As a result of this law, the cities of Beloit and Janesville took the steps necessary to establish vocational schools in their communities. These two early schools formed the present technical college system district which now consists of Blackhawk Technical College.

In 1965, the State of Wisconsin enacted a law designed to broaden the vocational, technical, and adult education opportunities for youth and adults through the inclusion of the entire state into districts by July 1, 1970. The Beloit and Janesville schools, along with the major portions of Rock and Green Counties, were organized into a single system on July 1, 1968.

The reorganization in 1968 gave way for the creation of Blackhawk Technical Institute. In August 1987, along with the other 15 state technical institutes, Blackhawk Technical Institute became Blackhawk Technical College.