Building Bridges:
Connecting Students to the Local Workforce
The Building Bridges program is a collaborative initiative designed to help high school students become college, career, and life ready by bridging the gap between the classroom and the local business community. Through partnerships between school districts and organizations like the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, this event offers a unique look into the diverse career opportunities available right in our region.
At the core of the Building Bridges experience are student-led, small group career discussions. Rather than a traditional career fair, these sessions provide an informal setting where students interested in specific career clusters can engage directly with local professionals. Whether a student is interested in manufacturing, health sciences, finance, or any of the 16 recognized career clusters, they have the chance to hear first-hand accounts of personal career journeys and day-to-day work experiences.
Why Attend Building Bridges?
- Small Group Engagement: Students participate in intimate, student-led discussions that allow for meaningful Q&A and deeper exploration of specific industries.
- Diverse Perspectives: We host a wide variety of employees—from CEOs and managers to technical staff and entry-level professionals—to provide a full picture of the workforce.
- Inside Industry Knowledge: Discussions focus on essential topics like the education and training required, the importance of "soft skills," and how core subjects like math and writing are used in the field every day.
- Local Opportunities: Students can discover local action items such as internships, job shadows, youth apprenticeships, and company tours that turn their career interests into real-world experience.
Building Bridges is about more than just a single event; it is about inspiring the next generation and showcasing the incredible opportunities our community has to offer.