Mobile: 262.894.3382
Email: lderpinghaus@gpsed.org
Generac had a vision 20 years ago to help build its future workforce by providing work-based learning opportunities to Wisconsin youth who were not finding success in traditional high schools. Today, that vision has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, GPS Education Partners (GPSEd), that has partnered with hundreds of businesses and schools that have put over 1,000 students on a new pathway to a proud and productive life.
Waukesha, WI. – February 18th, 2021
GPSEd will hold a virtual fundraising event open to the public, 20 Years of Transformations, on March 11th, 2021 beginning at 6:30 PM to help close the financial gap for a student’s work-based learning journey. Counting on revenue from businesses and schools, GPSEd must also rely on contributions from individuals and organizations to ensure students have the necessary supplies and support to gather work and life skills needed to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce.
GPSEd delivers work-based learning solutions across the Midwest, but this event will focus on the needs of underserved students in Northeast and Southeast Wisconsin that will be enrolled in career awareness, exploration, experience, and preparation programs like the Generac-founded Manufacturing Youth Apprenticeship Program. The annual enrollment goal for this program serves 200 students. On average, the program provides these students with approximately 130,000 hours of training through 80 career pathways and sees an impressive 85% of students continue to pursue a technical career following graduation.
“Generac is proud to be this year’s Platinum Sponsor for GPSEd’s 20th Anniversary Celebration. We are more than the founding business for this organization, we are longtime supporters of GPSEd’s mission to ensure all students have a work-based learning pathway to a career and better life. Placing a priority on education and equity has been a focal point at Generac since our own founding.” says Aaron Jagdfeld, Generac CEO/President.
“Today more than ever, in a demanding environment, companies like ours know the most effective way to change the life of a student is to change what happens in our own companies. We have many GPSEd alumni working in our facilities and we are proud to have been a part of their transformation”, says Jagdfeld “I hope more companies continue to step up and be the change they want to see in their future workforce.”
The event will be emceed by Milwaukee’s own Toya Washington, news co-anchor of WISN, and Denise Thomas, owner and president of The Effective Communication Coach—they will be joined by GPSEd’s CEO, Stephanie Borowski. The virtual event will also offer a silent auction of unique experiences including the Ultimate WI Family Reunion Getaway, an intimate dining experience with Hell’s Kitchen contestant and Milwaukee Chef, Adam Pawlak, a Breckenridge, CO getaway, and many other must-have experiences and items.
Generac will be joined by the events Gold Sponsors, Accenture, Hays Companies, and Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. and several other companies that have already donated to fill a student’s full or partial financial gap in their journey to a better life.
About GPS Education Partners
GPS Education Partners (GPSEd) is a community-based nonprofit organization and work-based learning (WBL) intermediary offering one of the largest statewide manufacturing youth apprenticeships in Wisconsin and WBL services throughout the Midwest and beyond. GPSEd’s proven education model is the catalyst to building strategic partnerships with education, business, and community entities. These partnerships enable GPSEd to accelerate student preparation in technical careers through powerful, credentialed work-based learning solutions.
Founded in 2000, GPSEd is deeply committed to designing, building, and executing work-based learning solutions that address the needs of businesses that are ready to close the skills gap by developing tomorrow’s workforce with today’s youth.
To learn more about GPSEd, visit www.gpsed.org or email info@gpsed.org.
About Generac Power Systems
Generac Power Systems, Inc. (NYSE: GNRC) is a leading global energy solutions company, supplying backup power and prime power systems, engine-powered and battery-powered tools and equipment, and solar energy storage systems. In 1959 founder Robert Kern designed and manufactured the first affordable backup generator. 62 years later, the same dedication to innovation, quality, and performance has expanded the company’s industry-leading product portfolio into homes and small businesses, job sites, and industrial and mobile applications across the globe. Generac offers battery storage systems for homes, energy management systems for businesses and utilities, backup and prime power systems up to 2 megawatts, and paralleled power solutions up to 100 megawatts.
To learn more about Generac, visit www.generac.com
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