,At Skilltrade, we believe that the foundation of successful workforce development is collaboration and the 2025 Milwaukee Forward – Cream City Rising convening offered a powerful platform to strengthen that belief.
We are deeply grateful to Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS) for organizing this impactful gathering of workforce leaders and changemakers. Hosted in partnership with Employ Milwaukee, the convening spotlighted innovative practices, regional partnerships, and real-world results that are shaping the future of urban workforce development.
One of the most meaningful takeaways from the event was hearing firsthand from Employ Milwaukee about their visionary, intergenerational approach to education and employment. From sectoral strategies to digital access and AI integration, their session on Vision & Priorities reaffirmed our shared mission to deliver relevant and accessible upskilling pathways to underserved communities.
The event also provided Skilltrade with an invaluable opportunity to build new relationships with organizations aligned in purpose. We were honored to connect with EDSI and HCAP, two impactful partners with whom we are now actively exploring collaborations to expand educational access and employment outcomes for our mutual participants.
In a rapidly shifting policy and workforce landscape, the convening offered a dedicated space to align goals, share best practices, and amplify success stories, it was absolutely energizing! Whether learning about apprenticeship models in early childhood education or innovative reentry strategies, the convening reinforced what’s possible when we come together to lift communities through workforce innovation.
To the MUS team: Thank you for your leadership and for creating space for authentic partnerships to take root. We look forward to the road ahead, together.
— Sandy Mead, Vice President of Workforce Development, Skilltrade
