GPS Education Partners: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Workforce
GPS Education Partners (GPS Ed) is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming education and workforce development through strategic partnerships with school districts and businesses. With a focus on immersive, work-based learning, GPS Ed aims to increase student success, grow communities, and provide equitable access to fulfilling careers.
The Need for Change
Many students struggle to connect their education with attainable career paths. The traditional "one size fits all" education model often overlooks the potential of technical careers, leading to a widening gap for skilled workers in high-demand industries. GPS Ed addresses this issue by offering an alternative approach that integrates relevant classwork with real-world work experience.
An Innovative Education Model
GPS Education Partners forms strategic partnerships with school districts to provide immersive, work-based learning to high school juniors and seniors. Our innovative education model is rooted in an immersive learning environment that’s aligned to business, industry and post-secondary standards. The partnerships we form with schools and businesses provide technical career pathways for students after high school that lead to fulfilling and valuable careers.
GPS Ed's model is built on several key components:
- Hands-on Learning: GPS Ed provides students with hands-on learning, STEM and/or technical fields of study. By combining relevant classwork with real work experience, we accommodate students with different learning needs and instill a sense of purpose.
- Blended Approach: GPS Ed leverages relationships with curriculum vendors to provide students with necessary resources to advance personal growth, educational outcomes and work-based development. These resources provide a holistic approach to student development.
- Customized Solutions: GPS Ed customizes solutions to meet the unique needs of each of our partners. And most important, we’re focused on the required outcomes of our partners. When students complete the program they have a vision and a plan.
- Youth Apprenticeship Model: Our Youth Apprenticeship model is an immersive experience aligned to educator and industry standards. Certified by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, students earn a high school diploma and walk away with stackable, portable credentials that increase employability.
The GPS Ed Advantage
GPS Education Partners helps businesses navigate labor pool challenges by preparing the Next-Gen workforce through work-based learning solutions. We collaborate with clients to recruit-and develop-talent based on the skills needed and the culture businesses wish to establish.
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GPS Ed offers several advantages to students, schools, and businesses:
- Increased Student Success: GPS Ed helps increase graduation ratios and work-readiness rates in local communities.
- Effective Career Planning: By moving away from the “one size fits all” traditional education model, schools will be able to offer students more effective career planning.
- Workforce Development: Businesses, schools and students look to us to solve workforce development challenges. Communities thank us for building meaningful career paths that help close the talent pipeline gap.
- Building Sustainable WBL Programs: We help prepare customized WBL solutions based on your needs and desired outcomes.
The Power of Work-Based Learning
Students who engage in work-based learning experiences are 70% more likely to secure employment upon graduation compared to their peers who do not participate. When you implement a sustainable work-based learning program, the positive impact extends beyond the school itself, also benefiting:
- BUSINESSES: By providing solutions to help close the workforce gap, allowing for industry growth by filling the talent pipeline with the next generation of workers.
- STUDENTS: By expanding learning opportunities to prepare them for a successful and sustainable future through hands-on, real world work experience.
- COMMUNITIES: By creating success opportunities through augmented programming and new connections, thus closing educational and socioeconomic gaps.
GPS Ed's Impact
GPS Education Partners was launched in 2000, educating five students from a single school and partnering with one business. Today, GPS Ed has graduated over 1,400 students, partnered with more than 100 businesses, and served over 50 school districts throughout Wisconsin. We’re continually working to expand our programs, certificate offerings, and program reach, as we take on the growing workforce gap at a national level.
Testimonials
"Their communication, their presentation on their expectations for the students is above and beyond. They care - they really are trying to strengthen the workforce while placing these individual students in a career path that’s of their interest." - Brandon Holmes, VP Operations, Ajax Metals
"The reason why intermediaries like GPS Ed are so important is because of the challenges of scaling up such initiatives with 42 school districts in DuPage County. It’s time-consuming and resource-intensive for both businesses and schools. GPS Ed provided us with the “how-to” and the intermediary approach we needed….GPS Ed’s ability to speak the language of both educators and businesses was crucial in making this happen and continuing to move us forward." - Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, Regional Superintendent of Schools, DuPage County
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"A lot of companies are looking to recruit from the same folks. Quite frankly, we wanted to get a competitive advantage" - Andrew Krynen, Market General Manager, Johnson Controls
"I think [GPS Ed] is really good at listening to us and finding exactly what each school needs." - Kyle Swenson, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Wayazata High School
"It's critical that we have [work-based learning] experiences because our students aren't going to get that if we don't have employers that are willing to open their doors and be part of that work-based learning continuum with our students." - Eric Radomski, Senior Manager of Career and Technical Education, Milwaukee Public Schools
"And that’s kind of been my experience the whole time working with GPS Ed… It’s just, they just make it easy." - Gary Johnson, Engineering Teacher, Foothills High School
"It’s been very successful. We are pleased to have them and the resources that they bring to us. Partnering with intermediaries to build systems of collaboration and efficiency leads to better outcomes for students."
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GPS Ed's Vision and Mission
Our mission: GPS Ed is a nonprofit work-based learning solutions provider and advocate, representing our students, businesses, and communities, focusing on access and equity for all students to succeed in careers of the future.
Our vision: We envision a world where every student can access quality work-based learning to discover a pathway to a productive life.
Getting Involved
Transformational change begins with a conversation. Whether you’re a district redesigning your learner experience, an employer seeking a sustainable talent strategy, or a community leader building economic opportunity, GPS Ed is ready to help you take the next step.
- Start a partnership with GPS Education Partners: We’ll work with you to craft the perfect work-based learning program for your needs.
- Download the PDF of our GPS Ed Work-based Learning Intermediary sheet: See how work-based learning can help you grow your next-gen workforce.
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