In Janesville, our greatest resource isn't just the infrastructure, the businesses, or natural beauty—it's our people. As we prepare to make significant investments in our community, we focus on our students and their education, recognizing that they are the foundation of our future. Forward Janesville’s commitment to education is unwavering, and we are dedicated to providing the best opportunities for young minds in our community. In 2024, our Board of Directors set the Policy and Strategic Initiatives Plan, with education identified as a top priority. Forward Janesville is committed to strengthening partnerships with local schools, colleges, and workforce development programs to ensure students have the skills and tools necessary to thrive in today’s workforce. This involves sharing feedback on industry needs, supporting programs that offer real-world experiences, and fostering stronger connections between education and the business community. In turn, Janesville is positioned as a leader in preparing students for success while ensuring local businesses have access to a capable and well-prepared talent pool. One shining example of our community's commitment to nurturing talent is the Craftsman with Character program. This program inspires Rock County students to explore trade occupations as a pathway to successful careers, allows the business community to engage deeply with youth on technical skills, and gives program facilitators an opportunity to teach character building. The launch of the Janesville Business Hub in downtown Janesville last year is another example of our community’s commitment to education and getting students out of the classroom and into real-life environments. You can read about both in our feature “That’s The Magic.” Our community’s vision is also reflected in the newly renovated Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) campus. This year, students will have access to an innovative manufacturing education center with cutting-edge lab space. The Innovative Manufacturing Education Center (IMEC) was made possible through a donation by Prent Corporation. IMEC comes on the heels of BTC’s Public Safety & Transportation Complex completion. These state-of-theart facilities are designed to equip students with the skills they need to excel in their chosen fields. The business community is encouraged to engage with BTC to explore how employee training and skilling opportunities can further strengthen their workforce. The importance of engaging young minds and their families cannot be overstated, especially when we talk about recruiting and retaining talent. As we channel our energy into exploring new ways to improve our educational resources, we also dream big for what our community can become. I am inspired when I read about Tim Lindau’s commitment to our community’s future through his involvement with FJI’s Education Council, or about Kennedy Heckel’s connective energy as an Ambassador and how that links to her role as a University Relations Officer at UWWhitewater and UW-W at Rock County, or about Kelsey Paasch’s growth of JOIN Janesville and launching her own business. Learning doesn’t stop just because we’re out of school. Local employers, like Corporate Contractors, nurture the personal and professional growth of their employees through innovative workforce development programs focused on well-being and dream building. Read about their approach in our “Whole Self” feature or be motivated to strike a new path when reading Patty Hernandez’s How Did I Get Here? story. As we reflect on our journey, it's important to celebrate how far we've come and what we've achieved together. Our community works together to achieve what is vital to Janesville, and when we invest in people, we cultivate a future filled with promise and potential. The Bright Future We’re Building Together 4 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Shar Hermanson President & CEO Forward Janesville
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