Specialized programs bridge the gap between coursework and workplace experiences in the Fox Cities region.
As the Fox Cities region’s economic landscape continues to evolve, there is a growing need for skilled professionals in fields such as manufacturing, engineering and technology.
GPS Education Partners – an innovative educational initiative established to bridge the gap between coursework and real-world workplace experiences – helps fill this void by offering specialized programs tailored to the needs of local employers. By collaborating closely with industry partners, GPS Education Partners also provides students with apprenticeships and industry certifications.
“We have education centers – eight in Wisconsin – that serve area high school students. In the Fox Cities region, the education center is hosted at the Menasha Packaging Co. plant,” says Andrew Zimdars, GPS’ partner services manager for the Fox Cities region. “The students spend a few hours a day attending classes at the education center and the rest of the day as a paid apprentice at a partner business. Both count toward their high school degree.”
Engaging to Excel
Laura Derpinghaus, director of marketing and fund development for GPS Education Partners, says the program serves a demographic of students who tend to be disengaged in the traditional academic setting.
“That student could be disengaged for a number of reasons. It could be that, academically, they’re just not catching on to the way the courses are being taught. It could be that they’re doing OK in classes, but socially, they’re not engaged. Or it could be that they’re doing well academically and socially, but they don’t see that traditional high school as putting them on a quick path to their career,” she says.
In addition to career training, Derpinghaus says, students enrolled in the program learn soft skills that help make them more employable.
“We teach them the importance of getting up on time, getting out of bed and having breakfast. We give them financial literacy training, along with those work experiences, so they are ready for a successful lifestyle as well as career,” Derpinghaus says.
Powering Up Partnerships
The organization partners with several community and business leaders to sponsor students’ work-based learning experiences – a relationship that benefits both the students and businesses.
“All of our businesses are partners in providing this program. While they are using the program as a talent pipeline – a way to recruit and train up the next generation of their workforce – they also see it as a community investment.
“They’re helping train these students to be good citizens and good employees no matter where they go to work,” Zimdars says.
Menasha Packaging Co. has been hosting the education center/apprenticeship program at its Fox Cities manufacturing facility since 2016.
“By proactively investing in future talent and training the next generation workforce, we’re providing very rewarding career opportunities right here close to home. It’s a winning situation for communities, educational institutions and businesses,” says Jennifer Twombly, the company’s senior director of supply chain optimization.
Getting Ready for Work
ITU AbsorbTech is another company bolstering the workforce pipeline. Since 1930, the company has provided smart and safe products to heavy-duty industrial and manufacturing companies. Its product line includes protective floor safety mats, absorbents, towels, mops, gloves, uniforms, protective garments and first-aid cabinets.
“Our association with GPS Education Partners has been [occurring] for about 15 years within the region’s school districts,” says Doug Roskopf, vice president of operations at ITU AbsorbTech. “GPS helps many students who might work better with hands-on projects rather than in a classroom setting, and that’s perfect for what we do.”
The career opportunities at ITU are vast and they are opening doors to exciting opportunities for students.
“Students in the program get to see the variety of jobs that are available in our ITU facilities,” Roskopf says. “We have careers for production operators, machine maintenance technicians, route service drivers, sales reps, account executives, business development employees and more.”
Roskopf adds that one former student is a full-time employee at the ITU plant located in Neenah, and another student is working in a part-time role at the same facility.
“ITU is a great place to work,” Roskopf says. “We are good corporate citizens – proud of our sustainability efforts and how we treat our employees.”
By Teree Caruthers on August 21, 2024
Livability Magazine
