Preparing the future workforce

---

Helping to grow the talent pipeline & ensure workers are ready for the jobs of the future

• Join an Industry Association and engage in talent outreach efforts to promote in-demand jobs and skills.
• Work with College/University Career Services Internship Support to attract new graduates or soon-to-graduate prospects. Participate in on-campus recruiting events.
  
• Hire an intern. In 2021, 66% of college interns ended up as permanent hires! ​​Internship Support​​
• Non-traditional sources of talent (Veterans, underemployed workers, previously incarcerated individuals) Supportive Employment Partners offer ongoing support to ensure success of the employment match.
  
• Consider how earn and learn models like ​Apprenticeship Programs can be applied – even in non-traditional industries.
  
• Cultivate future talent through Career Pathway Programs by partnering with local high schools to offer a range of career-based learning experiences. Most districts have liaisons who can help facilitate plant tours, job shadows, industry projects, work experience, and more​​

Research, resources + publications

• Resource 1
  
• Resource 2
  
• Resource 3

Start earlier; reach students (& their influencers) in K-12

• Partner with high schools to offer a range of career-based learning experiences. Wisconsin’s Academic and Career Planning mandate relies on the engagement of local employers to provide students with real-world information about careers in the region and how to best prepare. The number of ways industry can engage with K-12 has exploded: plant tours, guest speakers, Fab Lab partnerships, industry project mentorships and more.
  
• Advise local districts in the development of career academies & dual enrollment programs that embed industry certifications, and sometimes college credit, with classroom learning. Serve on a curriculum committee & provide industry feedback that drives continuous improvement of these programs.
  
• Take on a youth apprentice or a high school intern. Convert high school trainees to employees by offering summer employment after graduation. Offer tuition assistance and scholarships for those pursuing higher education.

Grow the future talent pool

• Support early STEM programs and entrepreneurial programs that build skills critical to success in the future of work.
• Expose young students to career opportunities in the region & the ways they can apply classroom learning to the real world.
• Host educators and school personnel at your workplace to give real-world context for instruction.
  

---

Improving Milwaukee's Education Policies

• MMAC’s K-12 Education Reform Agenda
  Guides engagement with community stakeholders and advances initiatives to expand high-quality schools
• Ranking Milwaukee County Schools
  Interactive school quality map and state data sets provide in-depth information on Milwaukee County’s public schools
  

MMAC programs

K-16 Career Pathways Exploration Program Connections the Milwaukee Region’s 50+ school districts, delivering on federal Perkins grant career readiness requirements

UWM Student Success & Talent Pipeline Program - UW-Milwaukee and the MMAC partnership to offer diverse students paid internships with Milwaukee-area companies

Technology Education & Literacy in Schools (TEALS)
Connects classroom teachers with tech-industry volunteers to create sustainable Computer Science programs

---

Further develop your talent pipeline through:

• Apprenticeship Programs
  
• College/University Career Services Internship Support
  
• K-12 Career Pathway Program
• Last-Mile Training Program
  
• Other Youth Career/Skills Development Programs
  
• Supportive Employment Partner