Milwaukee City Wire

The MPS Skilled Trades and Technical Career Fair, held on October 9, 2024, at the Milwaukee Tool offices in downtown Milwaukee, attracted about 600 students from 23 high schools. The event offered students an opportunity to explore various career paths across fields such as construction trades, manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, law enforcement, firefighting, sustainable energy, hospitality and tourism, engineering, and automotive.

Brandon Neddef from the Pewaukee Training Center of the Carpenters Training Institute observed that students were more interested in understanding the nature of work and preparation required than in potential earnings. Erin Cherney of MPS’s Department of College and Career Readiness noted that the insightful questions asked by students indicated effective preparation by their teachers.

The fair featured 60 trades and companies with representatives available to engage with students. Among them was the Western Great Lakes Finishing Institute which provided a virtual reality experience to demonstrate large-scale painting techniques. This interactive approach caught the attention of many attendees who were open to exploring unfamiliar career options.

The annual event is part of ongoing efforts to prepare MPS students for future endeavors whether it be college, technical school, military service or entering the workforce directly.