ABOUT THE SERIES
“Beyond the Walls” is a forum presented by VJS Construction Services that brings educational and industry leaders together to share knowledge, foster relationships, and enhance Milwaukee’s future workforce.
WHY THIS MATTERS
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Highlights real-world partnerships between education and industry
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Focuses on skills-based talent development
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Gives leaders tools and ideas they can bring back to their schools and organizations
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Offers a rotating format and location to keep conversations fresh and relevant
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Creates networking opportunities
SESSION TOPICS
Session 1: Starting with the End in Mind
Session 2: Developing Private Sector Programs
Session 3: Culture That Carries
Session 4: Educating Students to Lead in an AI-Powered World
SESSION 3
Culture That Carries: Creating Clarity, Trust, and Belonging Across the Pipeline
Where: Aug Prep North
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 from 8:00 - 11:15am
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
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Reflect on their own organizational culture and how it prepares people for the next stage of the pipeline
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Hear honest examples from K-12, higher education, and industry leaders—including early missteps and lessons learned
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Identify cultural friction points that impact readiness, retention, or performance
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Engage in small-group discussions to name challenges, pressure-test assumptions, and surface practical, shared behaviors
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Commit to one specific cultural behavior they will practice differently, starting right away, to reduce friction for young people
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Have the opportunity to tour the New Aug Prep North campus and hear about their approach to culture
SESSION SUMMARY
Building on our earlier sessions on essential skills and cross-sector partnerships, this conversation centers on culture as something we practice; the everyday behaviors, expectations, and norms that either reduce friction or create barriers as young people move from K–12 to higher education and into the workforce.
Through a keynote, candid cross-sector stories, and facilitated breakout discussions, participants will use clarity, trust, and belonging as shared lenses to examine where culture supports success — and where misalignment creates unnecessary friction — across education and industry.
SESSION 4
Educating Students to Lead in an AI-Powered World: Preparing the Next Generation to Lead,
Adapt, and Innovate in a Tech-Driven Future
SESSION 1
Starting with the End in Mind: The Competencies, Skills, and Knowledge New Workers Need to Thrive in Today’s (and Tomorrow’s) Workforce
Where: UW Milwaukee - Chemistry Building
When: Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 8:00 - 11:30am
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
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Introduction by Robyn Ludtke, Executive Director, WCTC Foundation
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Moderated by Luke Harrison
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Panelists from Bank Five Nine, Marquette University, UW -Milwaukee, Johnson Controls, and Sampson Handyman Service
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Site tour of the UW Milwaukee Chemistry Building
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Interactive workshop led by Dan Schiller, Future Found
SESSION SUMMARY
At the inaugural event in our multi-part series, Beyond the Walls: An Education & Industry Forum, we started with the end in mind: thriving young talent.
This event focused on the essential skills K-12 students needed to develop as they transitioned into higher education or a career. Our speakers and panelists—including leaders in private industry, higher education, and young Milwaukee professionals—shared how they were helping students and employees build essential habits, mindsets, and workplace readiness. Together, we explored what experiences truly accelerated this kind of learning.
Through an engaging discussion and collaborative workshop, participants walked away with a deeper understanding of current gaps and with ideas for better preparing students for life beyond the classroom. It was an important opportunity to learn, network, and help launch this conversation.
The event took place on September 18.
SESSION 2
Developing Private Sector Programs: Building Private Sector - Education Partnerships that Move the Needle
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
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Current employment trends as discussed by economic development professionals
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The opportunities and challenges of education/industry partnerships
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Panelist discussion: upcoming needs in the talent pipeline, education, and private sector partnerships
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Private sector fair: a dynamic, rotating format offering the opportunity to meet directly with multiple organizations seeking to collaborate
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Site tour of the Hmong American Peace Academy
Where: Hmong American Peace Academy (HAPA)
When: Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 2:30 - 5:30pm
SESSION SUMMARY
At the inaugural session in September, we focused on the essential skills K-12 students need to develop as they transition into higher education or a career.
The reality is that education and industry can’t operate in silos if we want students and employers to thrive. In Session 2, we’ll highlight the spectrum of partnerships that already exist and showcase new, practical ways these relationships can grow.
Our goal is to inspire collaboration, give both educators and industry leaders a clearer picture of each other’s worlds, and equip everyone with actionable next steps to build partnerships that matter.
This event took place on December 4, 2025.
GET INVOLVED!
We welcome feedback, speaker nominations, and ideas for future topics.
Contact us to learn more or recommend a session contribution.
