EMPOWERED BY THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF DANE COUNTY
INSPIRED BY THE
NEXT GENERATION
As a true extension of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center aims to inspire and empower all young people—especially those in need—to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring adults.
At the heart of this center is the Skilled Trades Training Program―a program designed to educate and support interested youth to pursue careers as plumbers, carpenters, HVAC technicians, electricians, and more. Here, partners and volunteers will train hundreds of young people in the skilled trades, giving them a new path forward. We invite you to help us build that future.
Countdown to launch
July 2023
Every Donation
Matched 3:1
Generously sponsored by the Madison Community Foundation
Madison Community Foundation offers Endowment Challenge Grants to help build agency capacity and sustainability. The McKenzie Regional Workforce Center Endowment Challenge Grant with Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County will leverage all individual and corporate donations made, February 16, 2022, through August 2023, to support the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center Endowment (beyond construction). Funds donated will be matched 3:1 through the MCF Endowment Challenge Grant.
Key Milestones
Toward a Brighter Future
With support from friends and donors like you, we are making real progress toward our major milestones. Click the button below to see how you can help.
Raise $35 Million
Currently at $31.1 Million
PROJECTED IMPACTS
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY
By creating pathways for young adults to gain certifications or on-the-job training such as apprenticeships that result in quality jobs, the Skilled Trades Training Center and Program will strengthen individuals, their families, and area businesses at a time when there is a shortage of trained skilled trades workers.
100
YOUNG ADULTs wILL COMPLETe tHE PROGRAM
75%
GRADUATES PLACED IN JOBS
100%
OF PARTICIPANTS TO RECEIVE JOb cOACHES
MORE THAN TRADE SKILLS
EQUIPPING YOUTH FOR SUCCESS
Students at the Skilled Trades Training Center will gain an array of skills to succeed in the workplace ― as tradespeople, as employees, and as business owners themselves.
Trade Skills Training will teach students the hard skills they’ll need to pursue careers as plumbers, carpenters, electricians, HVAC technicians, and more.
Soft-Skills Training will provide students with social, emotional, and learning support to assist them with transitioning to the workforce.
Youth entrepreneurial classes will prepare students to launch their own independent businesses as well as build income and wealth.
But we are not waiting! Programming has already begun.
Get Involved
How you can help
The McKenzie Regional Workforce Center is a groundbreaking project with the potential to create economic opportunity and transformational change for families throughout South Central Wisconsin. The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County invites you to join us ― as a partner, sponsor, educator, mentor, or volunteer.
Join Them
Meet our valuable partners
In the News
We’re Making Headlines
Duluth Trading Co. Pledges $1.2 Million to Boys and Girls Club of Dane County
Boys and Girls Club of Dane Co. launches $35 million campaign for workforce center
Boys and Girls Club, NAHB Team Up To Promote Skilled Trades
Boys and Girls Club Receives Seven-Figure Gift
Invest in their future
Donate
Your investment in the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County and the Skilled Trades Training Center and Program will help us provide young adults with resources, programming, and support systems that will build durable skills and create pathways to quality work while addressing the shortage of trained skilled trades workers. Please, consider lending your support today.
Q&A: Alan Branch prepares to lead new skilled trade center in Dane County