Increasing Educational and Career Access
WITH OVER TWO DECADES of experience using work-based learning to help Wisconsin youth navigate to technical careers, GPS Education Partners (GPSEd) is now leveraging this experience to help Milwaukee-area youth gain equitable access to the workforce. Expanding work-based learning services beyond its own education centers is part of GPSEd's vision of creating a world where every student can access quality work-based learning to discover a pathway to a productive life.
GPSEd is supporting Milwaukee Public Schools and Central City Cyber School in building a Milwaukee ecosystem of businesses and community organizations ready to support student exposure to and experience in the world of work. “Work-based learning expands student awareness of career opportunities, increases persistence in the education space, and builds social capital,” says Amanda Daniels, the director of curriculum and instructional design at GPS Education Partners. “We also know that paid work-based learning opportunities on a resume launch individuals into the workforce at higher wages and into above-entry-level careers.”
Jamar Atkins, a senior at Barack Obama SCTE, found his way to a GPSEd-organized internship by participating in GPSEd career awareness activities at his school. “I learned a lot of new things that I could see myself doing in the future,” Atkins says.
Schools often lack the necessary resources to build and manage the partnerships necessary for work-based learning. Providing convening services, coaching businesses and school staff to execute high-quality workbased learning, and expanding opportunities to ensure early and frequent work-based learning experiences are just a few examples of how GPSEd is supporting youth in Milwaukee.
“The partnership with GPSEd, Milwaukee Public Schools and community partners is second to none,” says Alex Erdmann, the college and career center adviser at the Barack Obama SCTE. “The on-the-job training and exposure are just what our students need to be set on a trajectory for success.”
What We Do:
GPS Education Partners builds the necessary partnerships to support accessible and high-quality work-based learning opportunities.
GPSEd's Youth Apprenticeship Program connects youth to technical careers through an immersive work-based learning environment.
Where Your Money Goes:
Donations help youth access the tools and equipment necessary for their work. Funds also cover credentialing costs, student preparation for professional work, and training and support for school staff in the execution of high-quality work-based learning.
GPSEd is seeking student mentors, internship and apprenticeship sites, and businesses to host student tours.
N19 W24075 Riverwood Dr., Waukesha 262-226-2001 gpsed.org