Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has taken a step forward in preparing local students for the real world, through a unique collaboration that lands youth apprentices at the heart of the Investing in Justice: Courthouse Complex initiative. Partnering with Milwaukee Public Schools and AECOM, Crowley's administration has brought high school students from Rufus King and Bradley Tech into the fold, to offer them a firsthand experience in the design and construction disciplines that will shape the County's infrastructure and their future careers.
With a dedication to embedding training and career development into the county's work, the partnership looks to these apprenticeships as a beacon of community investment. "Partnerships are the way forward. That’s why my administration has made it a priority to partner with contractors and consultants who are willing to hire high school youth apprentices as part of the work they perform for Milwaukee County," Crowley stated in a release. The student apprentices will be at work from March through August, racking up 450 hours of practical experience at local offices of AECOM and Continuum Architects, according to a Milwaukee County press release.
A critical aspect of this initiative is the on-the-job learning it provides. Erin Cherney, Milwaukee Public Schools’ Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator, emphasized the significance, saying, "This apprenticeship is more than just a learning experience—it’s a launching pad for these students’ future careers." Within the industry walls, these youths aren't just taking notes; they're taking action, engaging directly with the processes that professionals navigate daily.
Global infrastructure firm AECOM will helm the architectural planning and design services for the Investing in Justice project, while also contributing to the growth of these apprentices. Jeannette Peruchini, Managing Principal | US West Interiors Practice Leader at AECOM, highlighted the dual benefit, expressing, "This apprenticeship will not only expose them to real-world architectural and design work—it will empower them to envision and help build more equitable and innovative public spaces." The statement echos a commitment to community and developmental synergy, where the hands that turn the pages of textbooks today may tomorrow reshape the steel and glass of Milwaukee's skyline.
The scope of the apprenticeship extends past education, touching upon the vitality of Milwaukee's evolving landscape – specifically, the agèd Public Safety Building. As Milwaukee County deliberates on how best to revamp its Courthouse Complex facilities, it's clear that forging pathways for youth involvement is stitched into the blueprint of progress.
