ACTE's 2024 National Work-Based Learning Conference

GPS Education Partners with Komatsu and Lakeside Engineering Tour 
May 1, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Cost: $50

Join us for this interactive, multi-stop tour to learn how GPS Education Partners (GPS Ed) is serving high school students who are hungry for the world of work but ambivalent about their secondary education. GPS Ed’s immersive education center and youth apprenticeship program engages students through a curriculum designed for immediate application in the “real world” with industry recognized credentials and more than 1,000 hours of work-based learning experience. This pre-conference event will provide participants with:

• A tour of an education center
• The opportunity to speak with current students, alumni, business leaders and partners and GPS Ed staff on the impact of the program
• A tour of two modern manufacturing plants where students experience the real world of work while being trained/coached/mentored by caring adults that are investing in the next generation workforce

Timeline and Logistics:
1:00pm

• Participants board busses at conference hotel
• Bus A goes to Lakeside Manufacturing @ 4900 W. Electric Ave., West Milwaukee, WI
• Bus B goes to Komatsu’s new Milwaukee (Harbor District) facility @ 401 E. Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee, WI

1:15pm
Bus A arrives at Lakeside Manufacturing; participants are escorted into the cafeteria

• Participants hear from staff, students/alumni, and Lakeside representatives
• Q&A
• Student/alumni led tours including of the education center and the plant floor

Bus B arrives at Komatsu, participants are welcomed in large main lobby area and outfitted
with audio and safety equipment for the tour

• Participants hear from students/alumni/parents including Joe (GPS Ed Class of 2002 and Supervisor at Komatsu) the impact GPS Ed has had on him and students he mentors; they also hear from a current GPS Ed student’s dad (VP of MFG at Komatsu) why the model appealed to him as a father
• Participants tour Komatsu facility (via “catwalk”) and hear how students are engaged in training opportunities, not just employment opportunities and why Komatsu values GPS Ed training + education model
• Participants explore the Komatsu experiential zones/areas in the main lobby area

2:15pm
Participants at both locations board busses to swap locations/experiences
2:30pm

• Bus A arrives at Komatsu and bus B arrives at Lakeside Manufacturing
• Same format as above

3:30pm
Participants at each location are provided GPS Ed swag and a closing message
3:45pm
Participants board busses to return to hotel
4:00pm
Participants arrive back to conference hotel