First lady Jill Biden touts investment in education, workforce at Green Bay event

GREEN BAY — On her Friday visit to Green Bay, first lady Jill Biden touted the Biden administration's investment in youth apprenticeships and its focus on economic growth.

Biden headed to the Rail Yard Innovation District where she participated in a roundtable discussion on career-oriented learning. The first lady was joined by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Gov. Tony Evers, Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich, Chairman of Oneida Nation Tehassi Hill and students.

During her visit, Biden highlighted the Career-Connected High Schools (CCHS) grant program, which last month announced a $1.5 million grant to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for developing and expanding career readiness programs across the state.

The first lady applauded how Green Bay’s workforce training programs are setting students up with useful skills to enter the workforce.

In 2021, there were about 150 students in northeastern Wisconsin taking part in a youth apprenticeship, according to Eric Vanden Heuvel, the vice president of talent and education at the Greater Green Bay Chamber. They're expecting 1,100 students this year, he said.

“Something special is happening here, something that’s really transformative, and we want other parts of the state and country to follow your example,” Biden said.

“You are providing students with an incredible education, an opportunity to discover what they love to do and a solid foundation for their future,” Biden continued.

Biden closed the event by congratulating the students’ work in the programs and getting a jumpstart in their career paths.

“I love seeing that these students started in high school, figuring out what they want to do,” Biden said.

Preble High student found passion for manufacturing through youth apprenticeship.

Mason Kanselberger, a student at Green Bay Preble High School, attended the event. He participates in the Green Bay School District's Bay Link Manufacturing youth apprenticeship program. The program is a high-precision manufacturing learning lab equipped for projects in industrial welding, machine fabrication and metals, according to the district's website.

In the program, Kanselberger makes parts for local companies, like the paper mills. He goes through each step from pricing to machining the part.

"I love working with my hands," he said. "Like I used to say when I was younger, 'I want to be a maker.' Whatever that meant."

He's able to graduate high school a year early and go to college next year with enough credits to shave off some of his post-secondary requirements. Kanselberger even got a fist bump from Secretary Cardona.

First lady Jill Biden visited northeastern Wisconsin last fall.

Biden was recently in northeastern Wisconsin in October when she promoted cancer detection screenings and met with members of the Menominee Nation. She also attended the Oct. 9 NFL Crucial Catch Monday Night Football watch party hosted by the American Cancer Society in Ashwaubenon

An educator herself, Biden teaches English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College. She's been a professor there since 2009, according to the White House.

She's recently traveled the country promoting workforce training and career-connected learning programs, the White House said.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have also recently visited Wisconsin.

She isn't the only Biden making visits to the Dairy State. President Joe Biden has also been visiting ahead of the 2024 presidential election as Wisconsin tees up to be a critical battleground state in the race.

President Biden was in Milwaukee in December visiting the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce where he focused on economic growth under his administration. He returned to Wisconsin in January with a stop in Superior to announce new funding to replace the 60-year-old Blatnik Bridge on Interstate 535 that connects Superior to Duluth, Minnesota.

Vice President Kamala Harris was also just in Waukesha County in January to recognize the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion ruling that was overturned in 2022.

Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member who covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support her work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Drive, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.

Sophia Voight covers local government and politics in the Fox Valley for The Post-Crescent. She can be reached at svoight@postcrescent.com

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: First lady Jill Biden touts investment in education at Green Bay event