A quarterly newsletter by Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County featuring updates on our McKenzie Regional Workforce Center and Careerforce Build UP! Programming. | |
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Hello Laura,
As we prepare for Spring, I want to share with you the amazing work happening at McKenzie Regional Workforce Center. Not only did our first cohort of the Pre-Apprenticeship Program complete all of their training and graduate, multiple students applied to and signed contracts with companies in the community.
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Our first cohorts of the Entrepreneurship Club and the Workplace Soft Skills Club also graduated this quarter, and we could not be more proud of all they have learned. We hosted multiple hands-on workshops for youth to explore various trades in the industry. We were able to foster students' relationships and networks with professionals in the skilled trades, who also provided key instruction to further the youths' confidence.
Our commitment to empowering youth continues to grow as our programming expands. McKenzie Regional Workforce Center remains dedicated to providing innovative and impactful programming that equips our youth with practical skills, and nurtures their passion for lifelong learning and career success. We are keeping busy here at MRWC and look forward to continuing a wide variety of programming for youth in the Dane County community. We could not do any of this without your support, for which we are deeply thankful.
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Michael Johnson
President & CEO
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CAREERFORCE BUILD UP! GRADUATION | |
In January, we celebrated the completion of the Careerforce Build UP! Workplace Soft Skills and Entrepreneurship Club programs. During a joint graduation ceremony, participants from both programs shared what they had learned with their friends and family, and received a certificate to acknowledge their hard work over the past few months. Congratulations to all these dedicated and hardworking individuals for completing the programs and achieving their goals! | |
PRE-APPRENTICESHIP GRADUATION & SIGNING WITH THE BOLDT COMPANY | |
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Our inaugural class from the Careerforce Build UP! Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program celebrated their graduation on January 26th. Three of our members have started their apprenticeship journeys, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for the entire class.
One graduate, Natasha S., signed a contract with The Boldt Company, which we were fortunate to witness. As Natasha looks forward to her future with Boldt, she shares some advice to others considering the program:
"Don't let fear get in your way. If you let that happen, then you'll always think down on yourself. You just have to do it ... don't think of anything bad; just think of the outcome that could happen in your future. It's all about your future. There's nothing that could go wrong besides having to do it again, which just gives you more experience!"
We are so proud of Natasha and the entire class. We know they will all do great things!
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CAREERFORCE BUILD UP! PROGRAMMING | |
Pre-Apprenticeship Class Field Trip | |
Our Careerforce Build UP! Pre-Apprenticeship training program members took an exciting field trip to the Plumbers Union Local 75! They learned a lot about the industry, both from listening to the professionals there, and through hands-on activities. Students got to tour the facility, connect with many professionals in the skilled trades industry, and test their skills with soldering! | |
During a no-school day in February, our students were able to come to McKenzie Regional Workforce Center and learn about different facets of engineering with hands on activities. Students were able to explore solar energy, electrical engineering, HVAC, hydropower, structural engineering, and digital building engineering software! Thanks to the amazing volunteers and collaboration with Madison's chapter of ASHRAE, we were able to spark curiosity about the wide variety of engineering career paths in the minds of many middle and high school students. | |
Women in Construction Fair | |
Earlier this month, WRTP | BIG STEP and MRWC hosted a hands-on exploratory event celebrating women in the construction industry! Youth could participate in hands-on demonstrations from various union trades, connect with local employers, and hear about experiences from women in the field. | |
3/16 Creative Collective Youth Arts & Crafts Fair | |
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Join us for the Creative Collective - Youth Arts & Crafts Fair, held on Saturday, March 16th between 10am and 2pm, at the Boys & Girls Club Downtown Office, 1 N Pinckney Street, Madison.
Over 20 youth from the community and our entrepreneurship class will sell their handmade goods. You can expect to see a variety of jewelry, paintings, drawings, sweaters, shirts, drinks, blankets, knitwear, home decor, and more! It's the perfect place to find a unique gift for that special person (or yourself).
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THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS | |
On behalf of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, we'd like to extend our deepest gratitude to our program partners. Because of you, we are making a profound impact in our community and will continue to do so for years to come. | |
Our goal is to train and connect hundreds of young people and emerging adults to the trades for generations to come. Click the button below to connect with our VP of Workforce Development, Alan Branch, and get involved with our skilled trades & and entrepreneurship programming. | |
As you can tell, our programming is in full swing! We would love to show you around our amazing new facility - to schedule a tour, feel free to reach out below. | |
With so many events and rapidly growing membership, we need all the help we can get! If you or your organization are interested in volunteering with McKenzie Regional Workforce Center, either at a one-time event or on a recurring basis, please click the button below. | | | | |
