About

About

THE MCKENZIE REGIONAL WORKFORCE CENTER

Conceived by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County and the Madison Area Builders Association—and powered by partnerships with area organizations such as WRTP | BIG STEP—the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center aims to train and connect a new generation of young people to the skilled trades.

A first-of-its-kind project for the Boys and Girls Club organization, the center will serve as a national template ― preparing young people in Dane County for quality, family-sustaining jobs at a time when the skilled trades are facing a labor shortage.

Project Timeline

Steps to Success

October 1, 2021
The Perfect Match

Madison Area Builder’s Association and Boys & Girls Club of Dane County finalize partnership to begin work on new regional workforce center

October 1, 2021
December 1, 2021
Fundraising Frenzy

MRWC raises $2.8 million contributing to endowment of building

December 1, 2021
January 1, 2022
Home sweet home

Official closing on building purchase in Fitchburg, WI, to house skilled trades training center

January 1, 2022
April 1, 2022
Digging up dirt

Construction on MRWC begins

April 1, 2022
July 15, 2023
The future is now

Grand Opening of MRWC

July 15, 2023

The Next Generation

Who We’re Serving

As an extension of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center aims to inspire and empower all young people; especially those who need us most.

90%

Of our members are from low-income households

80%

Of the population we serve are People of Color

74%

Of our members are living at or below the federal poverty level

50%

Of BGCDC youth come from single-parent households

Workforce Board

Dr. Leslie Petty - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

DR. LESLIE PETTY

BRAD BURRS

BRIAN KOBISHOP

Chad Lawler - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

CHAD LAWLER

DR. ANU EBBE

Ed Hoksbergen - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

ED HOKSBERGEN

Hosung Chin - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

HOSUNG SHIN

JACK MCKENZIE

Jennifer Vondrak - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

JENNIFER VONDRAK

John McKenzie - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

JOHN MCKENZIE

JOE CRARY

JOSEPH LOTEGELUAKI

Kaleb Anderson - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

KALEB ANDERSON

Lindsay Blumer - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

LINDSAY BLUMER

Malorie Hepner - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

MALORIE HEPNER

MATT VANDE SANDE

Peggy Meskan - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

PEGGY MESKAN

SAUL CASTILLO

Shaun Trudell - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

SHAUN TRUDELL

STEPHANIE HILTON

STEVE LIPTON

TONY WHITE

Valerie Renk - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

VALERIE RENK

Executive Staff

Michael Johnson - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

MICHAEL JOHNSON

Dr Sarah Ghee - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

DR. SARAH GHEE

Laura Ford-Harris - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

LAURA FORD-HARRIS

Alan Branch - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

ALAN BRANCH

Stephanie Johnston - Partner of McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

STEPHANIE JOHNSTON

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Your investment will change the lives of countless young people, their families, and our community. We thank you so much for your generous donation.

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