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 Brandon,
As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible milestones we’ve achieved together in 2024. This has been a remarkable year for the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center and our Skilled Trades & Entrepreneurship programming, marking the first full year of Careerforce Build UP! programming.
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THANK YOU for your unwavering support. Whether you’ve donated, volunteered, or partnered with us, YOU have made a lasting impact on our community, shaping the future for the youth we serve.
Because of YOU:
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Nearly 3,000 youth have been served.
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Over 250 have participated in technical, employment, and soft skill trainings through various camps and programs.
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Over 20 students have been hired for seasonal, part-time, or full-time employment within the construction industry!
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Nearly seventy percent (70%) of the participants have been BIPOC
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Over forty percent (40%) of the participants have been female, including 100% of the BLAZE Camp participants!
We are deeply grateful to our anchor program partners — Madison Area Builders Association, WRTP | BIG STEP, Latino Academy of Workforce Development, and Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. Your commitment and collaboration have been instrumental in the success of Careerforce Build UP!
I also want to take a moment to recognize the incredible Workforce Development team at Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. Their dedication, innovation, and tireless efforts have been the driving force behind the transformative programming offered at the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center.
As we look ahead, the strides we’ve made this year remind us of the power of community. None of this would have been possible without YOU. As we approach the end of 2024, I invite you to consider making a financial gift to sustain and expand these life-changing programs. Together, we can continue creating lasting IMPACT and building brighter futures for the youth of Dane County.
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Michael Johnson, MBA
President & CEO
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LOOKING BACK: 2024 IN REVIEW | |
2024 has been an incredible year of growth and opportunity at the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center! From hosting our first Youth of the Year candidate, to impactful programs like skills trades clubs, mock interviews, and teen workshops, we’ve worked hard to inspire the next generation. Highlights include Family Build Day with Habitat for Humanity, BLAZE Girls Camp, trade-focused field trips and camps as well as celebrating milestones like Apprentice Signing Day and our Pre-Apprenticeship Graduations. Thank you to everyone who made this year unforgettable! Here's to an even brighter 2025! | |
INVEST IN TODAY, EMPOWER TOMORROW | |
Support Our Endowment for Ongoing Operations | |
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THANK YOU DONORS!
We are deeply grateful for your generous donation and continued commitment to the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center. Your contributions to the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center Endowment directly support our Skilled Trades Program, as well as the center’s operations, programs, and dedicated staff. This ensures we can provide training for high-demand careers for generations to come. Thank you for helping us secure a stronger future!
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CAREERFORCE BUILD UP! PROGRAMMING | |
NextGen Builders: Residential Skills Academy! | |
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Exciting news! Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, in partnership with Madison Area Builders Association, is launching the NextGen Builders: Residential Skills Academy!
This FREE program is perfect for young adults (16-24) looking to kickstart a career in construction by learning hands-on skills like blueprint reading, tool handling, and safety protocols while gaining valuable experience with industry professionals.
The next session runs January 6 – March 27 (Monday – Wednesday: 9:00 AM –12:00 PM, Thursday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM), with flexible schedules ideal for students or recent graduates.
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Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program | |
Building Confidence Through Mock Interviews | |
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Our Pre-Apprenticeship students recently participated in mock interviews with volunteer employers, gaining valuable experience and feedback to prepare for their future careers.
This hands-on practice helps students refine their communication skills, build confidence, and learn how to present themselves professionally. A big thank-you to the employers who volunteered their time to support our students’ growth!
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Hands - On Training for Future Success | |
Our Pre-Apprenticeship students have been hard at work, gaining essential skills for future success! These classes are part of our comprehensive program, which also includes Skilled Trades, Soft Skills, Entrepreneur Classes & Workshops. Students not only learn technical skills but also build confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Each session brings them closer to becoming skilled professionals in the trades. | |
MRWC First Youth of the Year Representative | |
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For the first time, the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center participated in the Youth of the Year program—a prestigious leadership and scholarship opportunity that highlights the voices and experiences of exceptional students.
Six talented students competed for the honor, showcasing their achievements, leadership, and personal growth with the Boys & Girls Clubs. We are thrilled to announce that Leah Gage has been chosen to represent MRWC at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County Youth of the Year competition in January.
Congratulations to Leah and all the participants for their hard work and dedication!
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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. | |
SUPPORT THE MCKENZIE REGIONAL WORKFORCE CENTER | |
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. | | | | |
