M-Cubed honors City of Milwaukee for leadership in youth workforce development
The City of Milwaukee has been recognized with the Paving the Pathways to Success Award by M3, a collaborative initiative among the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College and Milwaukee Public Schools.
The award celebrates the city’s outstanding efforts in preparing southeastern Wisconsin’s future workforce through innovative work-based learning programs.
The honor was presented during the annual M3 Employer Partner Celebration, held Wednesday at the UWM Student Union Ballroom. The event featured remarks from UWM Chancellor Thomas Gibson, MATC President Anthony Cruz, MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, along with a panel discussion involving local employers.
Since its inception in 2018, the M3 Work-Based Learning Program has connected more than 5,000 students with career exploration opportunities across various industries. The initiative places students from MPS, MATC and UWM into internships and apprenticeships, allowing them to earn wages while gaining hands-on experience in public service and private sector roles.
Johnson, who accepted the award on behalf of the city, praised the program’s impact.
“This initiative represents the best of Milwaukee. Employers are showing young people that their skills are valued and that their future is bright, right here in Milwaukee,” Johnson said.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson (left) celebrates the award with City of Milwaukee Human Resources Manager Kristin Urban and City of Milwaukee Diversity Recruiter Kobena-Marcus Collins, who was recognized during the award presentation as being one of the key drivers for the city’s work-based learning program success. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
Gibson emphasized the importance of bridging education and employment, sharing his own experience as a student worker. “You are opening doors and inviting our students to explore who they might become,” he said.
Cruz highlighted the development of transferable skills among students, thanking employers for their continued support. Cassellius noted the transformative power of work-based learning, saying, “It helps students see themselves in a career they never expected.”
This year alone, 271 students from 18 high schools participated in the Work-Readiness Conference, and over 1,100 students engaged with 121 employers at job fairs. Nearly 900 employer evaluations affirmed students’ core competencies, and 92% of employers expressed intent to hire students they met through these events. At UWM, more than 4,500 students participate in experiential learning each year, including internships, co-ops, student teaching, clinical placements and community-based research.
The City of Milwaukee’s recognition underscores a growing commitment to youth empowerment and workforce readiness, positioning the city as a leader in building a diverse and skilled talent pipeline for the future.