The Janesville Culver’s Scoopie Night great step in building some of that workforce strength locally.” The curriculum consists of job shadowing four days a week, and one day of classroom work at one of the business partners’ sites. “We thought it was really important to host it off-site from a school,” says Maedke. “We wanted it to be much more authentic, having it in a business environment.” During classroom days, the students discuss what character qualities they believe are needed to be successful. “Those character qualities,” says Hataj, “(are) what everybody has on the shop floor. We talk about it, and then they see it. They get to hang around these guys that emulate it and are phenomenal role models.” “Relationship building is a cornerstone of the course,” says Squire, who was a classroom facilitator. “We talk about positive relationships and toxic relationships and what our individual responsibilities are. The experiences show them the value of good relationships in a work environment.” Craig High School senior Haleigh Diehl, a 2023-24 participant, agrees. “The businesses were really welcoming,” says Diehl. “They wanted us to ask questions so we could learn from the experience. I was very happy to learn from every business that we went to.” According to Josh Biddick, Vice President of Rock Road Companies, those new relationships are not just beneficial for the students, but also for business partners like him. “Interacting with the kids was my favorite part of it,” says Biddick. “Because honestly, I was in their shoes. I was always good with my hands, and didn’t want to sit in the classroom, but I thought college was what I had to do.” Biddick tried college for a year, then decided to get into the trades. “I was an apprentice, then a foreman, then a superintendent, and now I’m the vice president of Rock Road,” says Biddick. “So, there’s opportunities out there. I explained my story to all of them, and that was the fun part. Just talking to them and seeing the light flicker a little bit.” “It’s work-based learning,” says David Hiller, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing for Prent Corporation, “and that’s paramount to the transformation of education. These kids get life skills out of the program, and that’s huge.” Prent is another enthusiastic business partner of CWC in Janesville. A side benefit to CWC is that, even though the program is aimed at students whose strengths are outside the classroom, their classroom performance often improves as a result. One of Dave Hataj’s key employees, who came to Edgerton Gear as a CWC student a decade ago, went from a D student to an A student. “The most important thing from my perspective,” says Hiller, “is that (once a student is interested in a certain job), suddenly the other classwork becomes a little more important. It’s like, ‘I should know this.’” Parker High School senior Reece Courtney said he found several jobs he felt he would be comfortable doing for a career. “Rock Road gave me the opportunity to be an operator, but I’ve also wanted to be a technician. And some of the big, heavy diesel stuff was what I was really interested in.” The experience Courtney gained led to a job at a diesel tech shop in Janesville. During the 2024-25 school year, his job will be part of the youth apprenticeship program at Parker, with Courtney working in the mornings and attending classes in the afternoons. He can see this being his career. Diehl, whose post-high-school plan is to enlist in the U.S. Army, says her CWC experience also led to employment. She now works as a welder for United Alloy as part of the youth apprenticeship program. “Part of my vision,” says Hataj, “is not only giving dignity to the kids, but to the local businesses as well. You can see the pride of blue-collar people when you remind them of how important they are.” A day in the field with Rock Road Companies It’s work-based learning and that’s paramount to the transformation of education. www.forwardjanesville.com | 7 24/25 CRAFTSMAN WITH CHARACTER PROGRAM PARTNERS Blain Supply Combs & Associates Farm & Fleet JP Cullen Prent Corporation Rock Road Companies SSI Technologies United Alloy 23/24 CRAFTSMAN WITH CHARACTER PROGRAM PARTNERS Blain Supply City of Janesville JP Cullen Prent Corporation Rock Road Companies School District of Janesville United Alloy
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