–submitted by Joy Cardin
Rotarians heard from the key leaders in the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County’s new McKenzie Regional Workforce Development Center that just celebrated its grand opening on July 15. The center was created to address the labor shortage in the skilled trades industry. John McKenzie, owner of the McKenzie Apartment Company and donor to the project, approached BGCDC president and CEO Michael Johnson when he realized the only way to meet the demand was to diversify the workforce – which is largely male, white, and aging. McKenzie says the center will be good for the economy, business, and the social fabric of the community. Johnson says the $30-million project is the largest workforce training center in Boys and Girls Club history and has spurred similar efforts in 20 other communities. Alan Branch, the vice president of workforce development for BGCDC, says it is important to interest children between the ages of 9 and 13 in the skilled trades before they eliminate them as a career choice. The McKenzie Center will offer some participants an alternative to college and a path directly from high school to a job. There will also be opportunities for apprenticeships, education about wealth management, entrepreneurship, and post-secondary education.
If you missed last week’s program you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sBXA3PkCo0&t=1574s.
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 