UW-Madison to host conference for job trainers

A bridge spanning education and business will open in Madison in the form of a national conference Monday-Wednesday, Jan. 27-29.

“Learning to Work . . . Working to Learn,” sponsored by the UW–Madison’s Center on Education and Work, will provide a national forum for educators, counselors and others to gather innovative ideas, practices and programs about career development. Conference organizers cite lifelong career development, using technology, school-to-career transition issues and more as key agenda items this year.

“Since the Center on Education and Work is part of the UW–Madison School of Education, the conference is a way of fulfilling part of our mission to advance knowledge regarding education and career, and helping to prepare students and employees for the world of work,” says Carol Edds, center staff outreach specialist and one of the conference organizers.

Two days of tours to exemplary workplaces throughout southern Wisconsin will be a highlight of the conference. The tours aim to provide participants with firsthand insight into the workplaces students and clients target as employment destinations. Sites include:

• Generac Power Systems in Waukesha, one of the world’s largest independent manufacturers of engine-driven generator systems. Milwaukee Magazine chose Generac as one of the city’s 10 best employers.
• Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Milwaukee, which manufactures the gold standard of motorcycles.
• General Motors, Janesville, where the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon models and Isuzu trucks are assembled.
• Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison, one of only about 200 accredited zoos in the country.
• Electronic Theatre Control, Middleton, a world leader in award-winning entertainment and architectural lighting equipment.
• St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison, an award-winner for quality practices and management.

The remainder of the conference will be devoted to workshops led by a roster of national experts. Topics will include innovative career-training techniques, job-hunting strategies, and special sessions for career development in prisons, for K-12 teachers and more.

Edds says she expects some 1,500 participants. The conference will be held at Marriott Madison-West Hotel, 1313 John Q. Hammons Drive. in Middleton. The cost is $289-339. The tours require advance registration and an additional fee.

For more information, contact Jacqueline Robb, (608) 263-3696 or jrobb@education.wisc.edu, or send e-mail to cewconf@education.wisc.edu. Conference registration is possible online through the Web site.