WORKFORCE OUTREACH COMMITTEE CHARTER
The Workforce Outreach Committee exists to be a positive influence on people in or entering the workforce. Our primary focus is high school and college/university students, while remaining open to career changers already in the workforce who are exploring a new path. We also partner with military transition service programs to help veterans find meaningful post-military opportunities.
Our goal goes beyond introducing career opportunities: we work to build genuine readiness for the future workforce, including the fundamentals of showing up to work, communicating professionally, and bringing real value to an employer from day one.
We do this by putting IBAW members' experience, credibility, and relationships to work in our communities. In doing so, we support the Executive Director and Board of Directors by strengthening the pipeline of talent that Wisconsin's independent businesses depend on.
High school and college/university students, career changers, and transitioning military service members across Southeastern Wisconsin are made aware of the career opportunities available to them, equipped to make confident decisions about education and career entry, and ready to succeed once they arrive. The Committee remains open to engaging with any organization or group where independent business leaders can help people find their path.
To connect IBAW member leaders with high school and college/university students, career changers, and transitioning military service members, through programs like the Student VIP Program and the Speaker's Bureau and through partnerships with schools, universities, and military transition organizations, so that career decisions are better informed, readiness for the workforce is strengthened, and Wisconsin's independent businesses and communities benefit from a stronger workforce.
The Independent Business Association of Wisconsin (IBAW) brings together leaders of Wisconsin's family and other privately owned businesses in a trusted executive community to address current and emerging issues affecting independent businesses. Through timely, content-rich programming and candid peer relationships, members learn, exchange practical insights, support one another, and build stronger businesses and communities.
Improving the readiness of the future workforce to succeed once they enter it — professionalism, work ethic, and the fundamentals of bringing real value to an employer.
Creating meaningful connections between the future workforce and employers.
Exposing the future workforce to the employment opportunities that exist across Southeastern Wisconsin.
Promoting Southeastern Wisconsin companies and industries to the future workforce.
Encouraging IBAW members to participate in committees, educational programs, networking opportunities, and volunteer activities where connections to the future workforce can occur.
Supporting and encouraging the expansion of Work Based Learning into more school systems — for example, GOS, LAUNCH, Spark, and others.
Building partnerships with military transition organizations to support veterans entering civilian careers.
Developing meaningful relationships with school and university advisors, counselors, and staff, so IBAW members are a trusted resource they can point students toward.
Discover — Providing discovery options for those who are unsure what their future looks like: exposure to industries, career paths, and the range of opportunities that exist in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Explore — Going deeper on specific paths through hands-on exposure: job shadowing, employer site visits, Speaker's Bureau conversations, and Work Based Learning programs like LAUNCH and Spark.
Prepare — Building the readiness employers need: professionalism, work ethic, and communication skills, so the future workforce shows up ready to bring real value.
Connect — Creating meaningful, individual connections between the future workforce and employers: mentorship, Student VIP matches, internships, and military transition partnerships.
Attend committee meetings, in person or digitally.
Do work between meetings on the area(s) assigned — this is a working committee, not a standing/advisory one.
Own and advance an assigned focus area (see Committee Structure below), such as Student VIP, the Speaker's Bureau, Military Transition Partnerships, or Field Trips/School Partnerships.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with school, university, and military transition partners.
Help recruit additional committee members and volunteers as needed.
Bring updates, roadblocks, and opportunities from assigned areas back to the full Committee.
Chair
Vice Chair
Program Lead, Military Transition Partnerships
Program Lead, Student VIP
Program Lead, Speaker's Bureau
Program Lead, Field Trips / School Partnerships
Address current and emerging issues affecting independent businesses: Attracting and developing talent is a pressing issue for family and privately owned businesses. The Committee is IBAW's member-led response, building awareness of careers in these businesses early.
Trusted executive community: Members lend their time, stories, and credibility as role models, which strengthens IBAW's reputation and relationships across Wisconsin.
Timely, content-rich programming: The Student VIP Program and the Speaker's Bureau deliver practical, real-world insight from members to the people who need it.
Candid peer relationships and support one another: Members who volunteer together and share partners and contacts build stronger relationships with one another.
Build stronger businesses and communities: Better-informed students, career changers, and transitioning service members become the workforce that sustains Wisconsin businesses and communities.