John McKenzie, local real estate developer, and Stephanie Johnston, Assistant Vice President for Workforce Development, shared with the club the impact the new McKenzie Regional Workforce Center of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County will have on Madison’s minority youth. Some of the topics touched on by John included diversifying the workforce; the unique partnership between the Boys & Girls Club with the Madison Area Builders Association; interest in taking this program nationally using this model; partnering with the Harvard Business School, local schools (starting at 4K) and Habitat for Humanity; status of the fundraising. Stephanie shared that all building trades – carpenters, electricians, HVAC and plumbers – will be taught at the new center. The youth will build skills needed, have apprenticeships and finish off with a capstone project before they graduate from high school. There is also a focus on building entrepreneurial skills so that students can someday own their own businesses and build generational wealth. If you missed it, here is the link to the presentation: https://youtu.be/L6oQmsqJxTIBelow is a virtual walkthrough of the new building: