Wangard and Catalyst partner on CADRE Yo Pros program at Bradley Tech

Wangard Partners and Catalyst Construction have partnered on an awareness program in collaboration with Bradley Tech High School, Milwaukee Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education Department, WRTP/BIG STEP and Building Advantage Wisconsin.

The CADRE Yo Pros program aims to inspire future growth within the built environment. The new program’s name originated as an acronym standing for its focus markets including: Construction, Architecture, Development, Real Estate and Engineering (CADRE). However, it is coincidentally synonymous with the actual meaning of the word. Yo Pros was added to reflect the trendiness and focus on Young Professionals.

“As a result of the enormous void to be filled within Milwaukee in terms of construction jobs, we partnered with Catalyst in order to change Young Professional’s lackluster perceptions of working within the built environment,” said Wayne Wiertzema, president of Wangard Partners, Inc. “Our outreach passion is driven by the overwhelming need to inspire students as well as foster positive awareness of the many exciting career opportunities available within the construction, architectural, development, real estate and engineering (CADRE) fields.”

The CADRE Yo Pros program, which officially kicked-off on Thursday, Feb. 11, will focus on bringing awareness to the many career opportunities available within the commercial real estate, development and construction fields. Curriculum, established by Wangard and Catalyst, in conjunction with WTRP/BIG STEP, centers on the complete development process, from initial site selections, through construction and into leasing/property management.

The program will include nine sessions over the next year, bridging the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years. CADRE Yo Pros will mentor juniors into their senior year and is geared around teaching students skills that could lead into the professional development and construction industries with the potential for internships, work/study programs and college resume building.

The Wangard/Catalyst program will also include hands-on activities and an active development site not far from Bradley Tech: Freshwater Plaza located at the corner of 1st Street and Greenfield Avenue. Freshwater Plaza is a 159,500 square foot mixed-use development that broke ground this past October and is set to be a catalyst for the Walker’s Point neighborhood. It includes a Cermak Fresh Market, which will enhance the area’s access to higher quality shopping and healthier food choices. Freshwater Plaza also will feature regional and national tenants as well as 76 multifamily apartments.

“As a Milwaukee contractor, Catalyst is acutely aware of the shortage of skilled labor in the city. Our hope is that the CADRE Yo Pros program will not only introduce students to the prospect of skilled labor jobs, but also the variety of professional opportunities available in the construction industry as a whole,” said Catalyst Construction’s President Matthew Burow.