JANUARY 2024 MAGAZINE 17 Waukesha County understands the importance of workforce development solutions. For over a decade, county stakeholders have invested time and talent into developing the future workforce by hosting successful business education solutions and working the talent pipeline to make school districts the most valuable workforce centers in the county. This work has launched Waukesha County to be a leader in talent development offerings across the state. Hundreds of partnerships are made each year through connections and programs hosted by the Waukesha County Business Alliance and Waukesha County Center for Growth. Students are moving through industry pipelines career-ready and faster each year. In the 2022-2023 school year, over 22 percent of high school students participated in Dual Enrollment, and over 30 percent took advanced courses exceeding the state average. This past year, over 1,200 students received industryrecognized credentials before graduation. Talent Development Pipeline work remains a top priority in supporting economic development. As companies continue to expand and innovate, they can rest assured the future workforce is available locally and ready to work. "The education and industry partnership that the Alliance provides employers in Waukesha County is invaluable," states Husco's Director of Talent Acquisition and Development Brittany Kulka. "When Husco was working through challenges in an early talent program, we called upon the Alliance to help host a focus group, connecting Husco with educators and administrators in the area. The result was a robust discussion, with a dynamic group of participants. The information received is helping Husco fuel our talent pipeline, while offering educators a direct industry connection. We would not have been able to achieve this without the support of the Alliance! " • Schools2Skills™ Business Education Partnership Work Careers Uncovered ™ Industry Expos Industries In Schools In total, three Careers Uncovered™ programs brought 31 educators from 14 schools inside the doors of businesses to understand the career pathways available to students. 2023 We hosted 23 Schools2Skills™ programs which expose students to the manufacturing industry by offering behind-the-scenes tours of businesses. Four industry expos were hosted for K-12 students to meet local employers and participate in hands-on demonstrations of career pathways in healthcare, manufacturing and construction. New this year, four Industries In Schools tours took place for business leaders to visit local schools and learn about the programs being offered, and to connect with students. 23 3 4 4 FUELING THE TALENT PIPELINE ROBYN LUDTKE Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Workforce, Waukesha County Business Alliance
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgzMDI=