MEDIA ALERT: WCTC to hold Craftsman with Character information session on Thursday, April 18

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PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Tuesday, April 16, 2024) – Waukesha County Technical College, along with Superior Crane, is partnering with Craftsman with Character, an organization sponsored by the U.S. Navy, to host Crafting Careers: Bridging Businesses and Schools on Thursday, April 18.

 The focus of the event is on a workforce initiative that is designed as an immersive, job shadowing experience to provide younger high school students and manufacturers the opportunity to get to know each other before making an apprenticeship commitment. It exposes students to the world of manufacturing and other trades and helps them to develop critical soft skills necessary for success in work.

The event will be at WCTC -- Pewaukee campus, Building S, Anthony J. Natalizio Center, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• Local business representatives and school personnel (including school-to-work coordinators, superintendents, career counselors) will be in attendance to learn how the organization is serving to create an industrial pipeline from schools to business.
• Attendees will gain insight into how the initiative can enrich students’ high school education by providing hands-on experience with the trades; explore collaboration options between schools, technical colleges and businesses; connect like-minded professionals with a passion for developing workforce development and more

• Event presenters include:
  • Rich Barnhouse -- President, Waukesha County Technical College
  • Mickie Healy -- Quality Assurance Manager, Superior Crane Corp. University
  • Dave Hataj – Founder, Craftsman with Character and owner of Edgerton Gear
  • Miranda Shurer -- Workforce Development Pipeline Project Manager, U.S. Navy PEO SSBN Submarine Industrial Base
  •  Michael Fesenmaier -- Head of Program Development, Craftsman with Character

A question-and-answer session specific to schools and businesses led by representatives from Craftsman with Character will conclude the morning’s activities.