One of the most impactful ways to better our community is to take an active role in preparing students to be college or workforce ready. Mortenson is proud to create a better tomorrow by engaging the students of today through educational and work-study programs.

“TechTerns” Program
The TechTerns program is a two-year, real-life learning program for Milwaukee Bradley Tech High School students to explore various careers involved with design, healthcare, construction, and operation of a building, as well as getting first-hand exposure to a wide variety of careers. Students work with classroom-based Bradley Tech teachers at the school as well as on a live construction site. This school year, Mortenson is welcoming two different TechTern groups, one at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Integrated Procedural Platform and another at the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center. Both programs will be kicking off this fall and allow the students to:

• Interact with the building’s owner, design, and construction teams
• Learn how the project is planned and executed – from experts who do the work
• Perform hands-on design and construction activities
• See first-hand how the project progresses

Cristo Rey Work Study Program
Cristo Rey High School opened in 2015 and follows the work-study form of education where students attend classes and intern part time five days a month. The program, now in its third year, partners local organizations with high school students to create positive relationships and help them learn practical problem-solving skills. Mortenson is one of 58 local employers participating in the program with four students working on the Wisconsin Sports and Entertainment Center. 

Youth Apprenticeship Program
This statewide apprenticeship program matches 250 Milwaukee Public School students with local companies. Mortenson welcomed then high school senior LaResha Love to the Wisconsin Sports and Entertainment project team. While onsite she learned about virtual design and construction and shadowed project superintendents.  

“I’m lost for words when it comes to talking about the youth apprenticeship because it’s the best experience you could ever have in life,” Love said. She is now a freshman at UW-Stout studying construction management.

Read more about Love and the program here.