Dane County to Award $1.5 Million to The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County for McKenzie Regional Workforce Center’s Skilled Trades Training Program

April 20, 2023
Ariana Vruwink, 608-267-8823
County Executive

Dane County will award $1.5 million to The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County for the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center’s Skilled Trades Training Program, County Executive Joe Parisi announced today. Pending County Board approval, the investment will advance the organization’s mission of providing a location to educate and support interested youth in pursuing careers as plumbers, carpenters, HVAC technicians, electricians, and more.

“We are excited to support The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County’s McKenzie Regional Workforce Center and Skilled Trades Training Program with this additional funding,” said County Executive Parisi. “This is an investment in Dane County’s youth. It will increase access to opportunity throughout our community and provide a much needed pipeline to jobs in the skilled trades.”

Poverty continues to be a barrier to opportunity, and there remains a shortage of workers within many sectors of the economy. The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County’s new workforce center and training program will create a template to prepare young people for quality, family-sustaining jobs at a time when the skilled trades are facing a labor shortage.

According to The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, the Skilled Trades Training Program will deliver a thoughtful curriculum that highlights soft skills and entrepreneurial training in addition to trade skills. Students will gain valuable technical skills and work experience, along with the academic and personal skills needed to be successful in whatever path they choose after high school. Some may even start earning a livable wage in their chosen trade before they graduate from high school.

The workforce center and training program are consistent with Dane County’s goals outlined in the 2015 Access to Opportunity initiative. Construction on the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center began in April of 2022, and the center is expected to open later this year.

Dane County’s 2023 capital budget includes $1.5 million in funding within the Department of Administration to support the effort. A resolution to award $1.5 million in funds to The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County will be introduced at tonight’s County Board meeting and is expected to be approved in the coming weeks.