GPS Education Partners 20th Anniversary Publication by BizTimes Media

G P SEd 20 Y E A R S O F H E L P I NG EM PLOYERS SOLVE T HEIR TAL E N T SH O RTA G E WIT H WORK- BA SED LEA RNING

AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT OF

Welcome! THIS YEAR marked a very special year for GPS Education Partners (GPSEd) as we celebrated our 20th anniversary supporting students and communities across Wisconsin and beyond. Our focus continues to provide innovative solutions connecting employers to the next generation of talent. The collaborative partnerships we’ve built are not only filling necessary roles in vital industries but are transforming lives. Thank you to our amazing partners for their care, commitment, and expertise in helping us serve these students along their work-based learning journey. As we look to the future, we see a collective responsibility among educators, employers and community leaders to provide workbased learning for all and the opportunity for GPSEd to provide a blueprint for communities across the country to scale quality workbased learning. With the rapid acceleration of technology and the widening of a skills and opportunity gap, the need for innovative solutions to better engage and prepare a more diverse and inclusive workforce has never been greater. The time is now to take action and get involved – big or small, your efforts make a difference! Together, we will shape a world where every student can access quality work-based learning to discover a pathway to a productive life. Your partner in student success,

Stephanie Borowski, President and CEO

GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS - 20th Anniversary Publication

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A Leader in WorkBased Learning FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, GPS Education Partners (GPSEd) has built its reputation by helping businesses reexamine workforce challenges through its innovative workbased learning solutions. But even as the organization has evolved from a scrappy program launched in-house for a single manufacturer into a nationally-recognized leader in workbased learning, GPSEd hasn’t swayed from its original mission: to serve as a bridge between students and business partners by clearing the path to viable technical careers.

LEGACY PROGRAM LAUNCHES GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS INTO NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT BY STEPHANIE S. BEECHER

It all started with a second chance. When Generac was looking to expand at its new facility in Jefferson, Wisconsin in 1996, the manufacturer hit a snag. Charged with hiring more than 250 workers, then Generac’s VP of Human Resources, Dawn Tabat, quickly discovered an underreported high school dropout rate, leaving her with a shallow candidate pool. And it wasn’t just the lack of graduates that proved a challenge; there was a lack of work readiness all around. Around the same time, the state announced it was dedicating more resources to apprenticeship initiatives. The news set off a lightbulb moment for Tabat. “We had to attack the dropout rates,” says Tabat, adding simply encouraging schools to embrace technical education wouldn’t have been enough. “No one knows the needs of a workplace like the actual workplace. We needed this to be an industry-driven model.” In 2000, Tabat launched the Second Chance program, a way for Generac to provide disengaged students with the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and learn the skills needed to be employed by the manufacturer. gpsed.org

20th Anniversary Publication - GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS

Tabat worked with schools and licensed educators to identify underperforming students, develop academic curriculum, and teach the classes on-site at its production facilities. When students weren’t in the classroom, they were learning new skills from designated mentors on the shop floor. That first year, Second Chance launched with just five students. It was an immediate success, and soon Tabat realized employers outside of Generac would benefit from its innovative approach. But work-based learning was on few people’s radar at that time and the state’s emphasis on youth apprenticeship didn’t extend to credit-deficient students — something made all the more difficult by society’s insistence on four-year education, says Tabat. Tabat and her team advocated with the state to relax the youth apprenticeship rules and worked to demonstrate the potential of work-based learning. In 2005, the company merged with Partners in Education and became Second Chance Partners for Education, an independent 501(c)(3) organization. In 2013, they officially rebranded as GPS Education Partners. “Before this program, there were a lot of bright young people who didn’t qualify or have access to these types of hands-on learning opportunities,” says Stephanie Borowski, GPSEd President and CEO. “The work that we did allowed manufacturers and businesses to reimagine success for students through youth apprenticeship. It was key to changing the minds and hearts of the business community.” Now 20 years later, GPSEd is leading the charge in developing quality work-based learning opportunities for students — including at Generac. Overall, nearly 81 percent of GPSEd graduates plan to pursue a technical career upon graduation and 73 percent receive their high-school diplomas with full-time jobs in hand. These are impressive results, according to Generac Executive Vice President — Global Manufacturing, Tim Hearden. “There has always been a need for good workers with technical skills,” adds Aaron Jagdfeld, Generac President and CEO. “That need has only increased through the years. GPSEd is a legacy program at Generac and we are proud to be a key partner of a program that is focused on education, impacts the lives of our future generations, and provides a successful pathway that launches post-high school career journeys.” Today, GPSEd’s Manufacturing Youth Apprenticeship Program serves over 80 employers of all sizes and 37 school districts throughout Wisconsin. With additional programming outside of the state — and by providing new pathways to industries beyond manufacturing — GPSEd work-based learning programs will impact thousands of students and their communities. Owen Marquardt, 18, is a current GPSEd participant at Generac’s Eagle facility. As someone who has always enjoyed TechEd and tinkering with antique tractors, he says manufacturing was never presented as a viable career option in school. 4

GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS - 20th Anniversary Publication

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“They teach you that the four-year degree is the only way,” Marquardt says. “I think many people view [manufacturing] as dark, dirty work and that’s not really what it is these days. These are really advanced facilities, working with computers, and very technical work. It’s really taught me hard work and determination.” As one of the “first-generation” GPSEd students in the Generac program, Joe Graef says trying his hand at various trades transformed his life’s trajectory. Back then, he was unsure of his career path; today, Graef is a production supervisor at Komatsu and a GPSEd mentor sharing his path to success with the next generation. “My experience with GPSEd prepared me for a real-world vision inside the workforce,” Graef says. “Being a mentor today inside our facility, I can get inside the minds of students because I know what they are going through. We can be there for them so we can help them grow as individuals and great employees.” With many industries looking to bounce back from the downturn, solving the workforce gap remains a priority issue, especially as leaders look to manage disruption and upskill workers to keep pace with changes. “It is critical for employers to think strategically about how to reach that future workforce and how to not only attract, but develop the best talent for their organization,” says Borowski. “By building sustainable and scalable work-based learning models supported by intermediaries, like GPSEd, we can imagine a future of work-based learning for all.” •

Lakeside Manufacturing WES T MI LWA U K E E , W I | E DUCAT ION CENT ER When Lakeside Manufacturing wanted to grow its company, they knew exactly where to turn: GPS Education Partners. Director of Human Resources, Kari Niepow, personally knew former GPSEd students who’d participated in the program and had gone on to become business leaders in the community. “It hit so close to home for “ They get these amazing skills. It affords them a wonderful me,” Niepow said. “There is lifestyle. The GPSEd program does wonders for the community, way more to manufacturing the students, and their families. It’s a ripple effect.” - Kari Niepow than sitting in an assembly line putting widgets together. It made us excited to help our community and help kids earn a degree.” That was in 2011. Since then, the company has dedicated a brightly-painted space for an on-site classroom, and has hired a senior graduate every year since the program launched. Niepow said partnering with GPSEd students remains a sense of company pride.

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20th Anniversary Publication - GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS

GPSEd History Timeline 20002008

20092013

DEVELOPMENT early years

LOCAL EXPANSION growth years

214

YOUTH APPRENTICE GRADUATES

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 20 2000 | S econd Chance Partners launches with Generac Power Systems, a single high school, and just 5 students 2002 | F irst class graduates 2005 | F irst expansion of education center model 2005 | E stablished as a non-profit organization 2008 | E stablished executive leadership team to advance growth

2011 | Added school & business partners in Northern Wisconsin 2012 | Harley Davidson grant to launch MSSC Certified Production Technician 2013 | Recognized by DWD as a WI statewide Youth Apprenticeship Consortium 2013 | Rebranded to GPS Education Partners 2013 | Launched Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Pathway 2011-13 | 13 Counties Served 2012-15 | 96 Industry Partners Served 2012-15 | 33 School Partners Served

GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS - 20th Anniversary Publication

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20142017

20182021

20222026

MODEL AND SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS innovation years

NATIONAL EXPANSION

GROWTH & INNOVATION DRIVE scale

390

950

10,000+

YOUTH APPRENTICE GRADUATES

13 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2016 | R olled out new tools for WorkBased Learning 2017 | G PSEd MFG YA Program serves 80+ business partners and 45 school districts in SE and NE WI

PILOTS LAUNCHED

Build

2018 | R olled out new Service Delivery Model - Design, Build, Execute, Evaluate

Enter

2018 | E stablished GPSEd Work-Based Learning Journey™ 2019 | The Larson Co.

New Career Pathways to Engage More Students More Geographies to Scale WBL

Impact

More Students in Early Career Awareness to Build Pipeline for WBL

Launch

New Technologies for Continuous Improvement

20th Anniversary Publication - GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS

Bailey Mills G PSED ST UDENT A LUMNI Bailey Mills joined the GPSEd Manufacturing Youth Apprenticeship Program in his Junior year at Appleton West High School. He liked working with his hands and his interest was piqued through Appleton Technical Academy. “ GPSEd is a better opportunity because it gave me a chance to be out in the field. I will have more experience in the industry than many of my friends.” - Bailey Mills

BAILEY MILLS Menasha Packaging Ed Center in Neenah, WI Home High School: Appleton West High School GPSEd Class of 2021

Bailey excelled in the program and moved his way up through all the necessary certifications. This continued effort landed him a Registered Apprenticeship at Menasha Packaging for the Industrial Manufacturing Technician program as a Press Floater Feeder. Bailey never shies away from sharing his experience with other students and parents about GPSEd, approaching it with the same positivity and work ethic he puts into his job.

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As a proud sponser, Bradley would like to congratulate the GPS Program on

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GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS - 20th Anniversary Publication

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Menasha Packaging N EE N AH , W I | E D U C AT I O N CENT ER Menasha Packaging is the in“ By proactively investing in future talent and training the dustry’s largest independent, next generation workforce, we’re providing very rewardretail-focused packaging and ing career opportunities right here close to home.” merchandising solutions pro- Jennifer Twombly, Senior Director of Human Resources, vider. The company, headMenasha Corporation quartered in Neenah, WI, started a partnership with GPSEd back in 2017 and has been growing its impact ever since. Five of their many locations support GPSEd students, including at their on-site education center at the Promotional Print Solutions facility. Mensha has served over 80 students in GPSEd’s Manufacturing Apprenticeship program since the partnership started, and the numbers are increasing every year. In the 2021-2022 school year alone, the education center at Menasha Packaging will be GPSEd’s largest center, serving a record of nearly 40 students. This kind of impact is paramount to the program and something GPSEd and Menasha Packaging are very proud of. One of the most exciting opportunities Menasha offers is the youth apprenticeship program that bridges to a registered apprenticeship. This gives students extra incentive and opportunity to create a full-time career right out of high school, with the ability to continue their education.

Quest Engineering RIC H FI EL D , W I | E D U C AT I O N CENT ER At Quest Engineering, teaching “ Over the last 10 years, we’ve seen this migration of going young people about the posto a four-year school, even if you weren’t a fit for [college]. sibilities of manufacturing is a Trying to get younger people interested in manufacturing top priority. Quest CEO, Chris was a challenge.” - Chris Lefeber, CEO, Quest Engineering Lefeber, sits on the board for technical education at his local high school and has been a long-term advocate for teaching young people the ins-and-outs of the trade. It’s also why the cabinet manufacturer jumped at the opportunity to participate in a work-based learning program from GPS Education Partners. Quest recently celebrated its first graduating class in 2020. Besides being a great way to grow the company’s pipeline, Lefeber said watching students acquire technical skills alongside valuable life skills was a rewarding experience for the entire team. “Watching the graduation was one of those goosebump moments,” he said.

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20th Anniversary Publication - GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS

Sameria Norrington G PSED ST UDENT A LUMNI Sameria was in the very first class of GPSEd students from the Wauwatosa School District and was so excited for the opportunity. Enrollment Manager Kelley Cronkite still remembers calling Sameria to let her know she was accepted into GPSEd and Sameria started screaming with joy on the other end of the phone. One of her favorite aspects of the program was the family atmosphere of the classroom and the support system for each student. “ GPSEd was a perfect place to foster our minds and bodies in this critical learning phase.” - Sameria Norrington

Sameria was an advocate that not only mentored fellow students, she also helped at student recruitment events and was featured in the GPSEd virtual fundraising campaign. Today, Sameria is employed with another business partner of GPSEd, Power Products, out of Menomonee Falls, WI.

SAMERIA NORRINGTON STRATTEC Ed Center in Milwaukee, WI Home High School: Wauwatosa West High School, GPSEd Class of 2018

Congratulations GPS Education Partners on 20 years of changing students’ lives with work-based learning!

Menasha Corporation is proud to partner with GPS and provide a GPS education center in Neenah, Wis.

menashacorporation.com 10

GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS - 20th Anniversary Publication

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Rytec Corporation JACKS O N , WI | H A RT F O R D FINISHING /ST EEL CRA FT C O RP O RAT I O N E D U C AT I O N CENT ER Rytec Corporation has been “ GPSEd has been huge for us in many ways. We have focused exclusively on the not only benefited from the labor side, but we have also design, innovation, and manuhelped to educate students and parents on the benefits facturing of high-performance of manufacturing. We feel very blessed to be able to not doors for the last 35 years. only help the community but our fellow manufacturing The company, headquartered companies. Even if the student chose to work at a comin Jackson, started its partpany other than ours it means they are in manufacturing nership with GPSEd back in and that is a huge win in my book.” - Aaron Steinman, 2012. Today, they continue Operations Manager, Rytec Corporation to support an average of two youth apprentice students per year who come from the local GPSEd Education Center at Hartford Finishing / Steel Craft. The company truly believes in the power of work-based learning and it shows in their support of students in their career journey. GPS_Educations.pdf 1 9/21/2021 4:22:29 PM

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20th Anniversary Publication - GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS

GPSEd Education Centers Bradley Corporation W142 N9101 Fountain Blvd, Menomonee Falls, WI SCHOOL PARTNERS Cedarburg School District Elmbrook School District Germantown School District Nicolet High School District School District of Brown Deer School District of Menomonee Falls Wauwatosa School District Whitefish Bay School District BUSINESS PARTNERS Bradley Corporation Custom Production Grinding Dielectric Corporation EFCO Finishing Corporation Glendale Machining Hydraulic Services & Mfg

JW Speaker Corporation Miba Industrial Bearings Sussex IM Inc. Tailored Label Products Waukesha Metal Products

Hartford Finishing/ Steel Craft Corporation 105 Steelcraft Dr, Hartford, WI SCHOOL PARTNERS Grafton School District Hartford Union High School District Slinger School District West Bend School District BUSINESS PARTNERS Broan-Nutone Engineered Metal Products

Gilman USA Grob Inc. Hartford Finishing Hy-brid Lifts Menasha Packaging Co. Quest Engineering Regal Ware Rytec Corporation Steel Craft Corporation Triton Trailers Waukesha Metal Products Weldall Manufacturing

James Madison Academic Campus 8135 W. Florist Ave, Milwaukee, WI SCHOOL PARTNERS Milwaukee Public Schools BUSINESS PARTNERS AB Data

Badger Magnetics Capitol Stampings Danfoss HellermanTyton MPE Inc. PFlow Industries The Phoenix Company Signicast Stratus Industries

Lakeside Manufacturing, Inc. 4900 W. Electric Ave, Milwaukee, WI SCHOOL PARTNERS Greendale School District Milwaukee Public Schools School District of Greenfield School District of New Berlin St. Francis School District Whitnall School District

Congratulations GPS Education Partners on 20 Years of Transformations!

Reinhart congratulates GPS Education Partners for 20 years of lighting the pathway to success for so many in our community.

414.298.1000 · reinhartlaw.com

GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS - 20th Anniversary Publication

With over 50 years of experience in high-quality, precision metal stamping, metal fabrication, component assembly, and tool and die manufcaturing, Waukesha Metal Products is an agile reliable provider of full-service solutions for its customers.

waukeshametal.com | Proud Partner of the GPSEd Program Since 2011.

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BUSINESS PARTNERS American Friction Welding Inc. AQ Matic Valve and Controls Company Inc. Charter Wire Coello & Associates Guhring Inc. ITU AbsorbTech Inc. Komatsu Mining / Joy Global Surface Mining Lakeside Manufacturing Inc. Milwaukee Truck Service Pindel Global Precision Thermtech Inc.

Allis-Roller, LLC 5801 W. Franklin Dr, Franklin, WI SCHOOL PARTNERS Burlington Area School District

Central High School District of Westosha Franklin Public Schools Muskego-Norway School District Union Grove High School District Waterford Union High School District BUSINESS PARTNERS Allied Plastics Allis-Roller Columbia Grinding Inc. Complex Security Solutions KDV Label MicroPrecision, LLC Midwest Fleet Maintenance Midwest Renovations The Kinetic Co. Inc. Weldall Manufacturing Wiscon Products

Generac Power Systems

Menasha Packaging Company

211 Murphy Dr, Eagle, WI

2255 Brooks Ave, Neenah, WI

SCHOOL PARTNERS Arrowhead Union High School District East Troy Community School District Kettle Moraine School District Mukwonago Area School District St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SCHOOL PARTNERS Appleton Area School District Kimberly School District Menasha Joint School District

BUSINESS PARTNERS Collectible Canvas Generac Power Systems Hansen Automotive, LLC Lee Mechanical Service Sentry Equipment Corp. Wright Construction

BUSINESS PARTNERS Acoustic Ceiling Products Atlas Tag & Label Creative Metal Products Ducommun Inc. ITU AbsorbTech Inc. Menasha Packaging Co. Miller Electric Mfg. Company Multi Color Corporation (MCC) Muza Metals Plexus Corp. Profile Xtrusions

PROUDLY SUPPORTING PROUDLY SUPPORTING AMERICAN MANUFACTURING AMERICAN MANUFACTURING

Congratulations The Science The Science of ofGPSEd! We’re proud to be your business partner. Over 1000 active customers per year

10% of our work force are women Mentoring skilled laborers

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20th Anniversary Publication - GPS EDUCATION PARTNERS

Donors GPSEd would like to thank this year’s sponsors and grantors of our 20 Years of Transformation Virtual Fundraising Event, presented by Generac. With their support, more students’ lives and their communities will continue to be transformed.

GRANTORS Bader Philanthropies Daniel M. Soref Charitable Trust