UW-Green Bay and Sheboygan Area Manufacturers Unveil New Training Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2025
Good pay, leadership training and tuition reimbursement all part of new collaboration
Green Bay, Wis. — Current and prospective UW-Green Bay students have a new option to earn a competitive wage while receiving tuition reimbursement and networking, training and experience in a key business sector in Wisconsin. Through the Future Leaders in Manufacturing program, regional mid-and-small-size businesses have positions available for students to work and learn valuable leadership skills at minimal cost. Students learn skills that boost their earning potential and employers have the opportunity to enhance their future workforce, as more than 70% of UW-Green Bay graduates stay in the area upon graduation.
Students can learn more about the program by visiting the Future Leaders in Manufacturing website or by reaching out to a Career Advisor at UW-Green Bay’s Career Planning and Professional Connections (CPPC) at 920-465-2163 or careers@uwgb.edu.
Manufacturing drives economic growth in Wisconsin, contributing nearly 19% to the state’s economic output and employing approximately 17% of residents with well-paying jobs. UW-Green Bay’s Future Leaders in Manufacturing empowers students to play a vital role in their local community and significantly influence their career path, whether in manufacturing or any other field they choose to pursue.
“We appreciate UW-Green Bay for recognizing the fulfilling career path that manufacturing can provide students during and after graduation,” said Steve Cahoon, vice president of Manufacturing with Sargento. “Sheboygan County is home to many leading manufacturing employers, and this program can help provide paid career-based learning experiences for students and a strong future workforce for our community.”
Interested students work with UW-Green Bay’s Career Planning and Professional Connections to gain employment with partnering employers including Sargento, Johnsonville, Masters Gallery Foods, Pine River and others. Students earn a highly competitive wage with flexible work schedules that balance their academic and extra-curricular schedules in growing manufacturing companies. Students may also earn up to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement paid by the employer for each qualified year they participate in the program. Students have an opportunity to earn real wages, acquire real skills and achieve real career success.
Participating students will explore the many manufacturing pathways offered, including production and operations, supply chain and logistics, research and development, quality assurance and compliance, and more. Employers collaborate to offer mutually beneficial opportunities for students to balance work and education.
In addition, students in the program interact with a career readiness team dedicated to each individual, providing practical leadership sessions that include workshops, presentations and company tours with partner companies. Program topics could include:
- Resume Development
- How to Build Your Brand
- Strengths Assessment
- Developing Emotional Intelligence
- Handling Workplace Conflict
- Networking
- Building a LinkedIn Profile
- Professionalism in the Workplace
- AI Applications for Daily Work
- Equity and Inclusion
- Customer Service Skills
- NACE Career Readiness Competencies
Students will belong to a cohort, working and learning together, and creating valuable relationships. “This program connects area employers with new and current UW-Green Bay students interested in being part of an important industry that drives our local economy,” said Kay Voss, director of UW-Green Bay Career Planning and Professional Connections. “The experience gained through part-time or full-time positions with our employer partners and our intentional programs allows students to develop career readiness skills while attending UW-Green Bay. For students concerned about how to pay for college, the highly competitive hourly wages, along with the annual tuition benefits offered through our employer partners make attending UW-Green Bay an even more attractive and affordable choice.”
Upon successful completion of the skill development, students will receive an exclusive UW-Green Bay digital badge that can be featured on LinkedIn, a resume, an email signature or website.
Students can learn more about the program by visiting the website or reaching out to a UW-Green Bay Career Advisor. Interested employers can contact Kay Voss, Director of Career Planning and Professional Connections, at vossk@uwgb.edu or 920-465-2533.
Microsoft Co-Pilot and nam.org assisted in research.
About UW-Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a school of resilient problem solvers who dare to reach higher with the power of education that ignites growth and answers the biggest challenges. Serving 11,188 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students as well as 85,883 continuing education learners annually, UW-Green Bay offers 200 academic degrees, programs, and certificates. With four campus locations in Northeast Wisconsin, the University’s access mission welcomes all students who want to learn, from every corner of the world. Championing bold thinking since opening its doors in 1965, it is a university on the rise – Wisconsin’s fastest-growing UW. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.
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