At GPS Education Partners, we know that creating meaningful futures for young people takes a community—and the PPG Foundation exemplifies what it means to invest in tomorrow’s workforce. Through their generous support of our Education Center & Youth Apprenticeship Program, PPG is helping us equip high school students with the tools, training, and exposure they need to launch successful careers.
A Shared Vision for Student Success
This partnership is rooted in a shared belief: students thrive when given real opportunities to connect learning to life. Nora Stauffer, Site Manager at PPG’s Industrial Coatings facility in Oak Creek, WI, says it best:
“The PPG Foundation and GPS Education Partners have a shared desire to create tangible opportunities that prepare students for future careers.”
With a focus on in-demand industries and technical fields, GPS Ed’s model offers a blend of academic instruction, hands-on learning, and professional mentorship. It’s this comprehensive, work-based approach that caught the attention of PPG.
“GPS Ed offers a combination of academic opportunities in areas like STEM, financial literacy and soft and hard skill refinement, along with employment opportunities that serve to kickstart career paths,” said Stauffer. “It’s a unique environment for learning that not only leads students to success, but aims to fill gaps in the workforce.”
Investing in Workforce Readiness
Through the PPG Foundation, the organization invests in education, community sustainability, and volunteerism initiatives. Their investment in GPS Ed directly benefits students across Wisconsin by providing access to high-tech learning environments, industry exposure, and life-changing apprenticeship experiences.
Stauffer explains, “We understand the importance of providing students with a hands-on, practical education that arms them with the advanced skills needed for career placements in technical and STEM-related fields.”
PPG’s commitment is not just about preparing individual students—it’s about sustaining whole communities. When asked why businesses and foundations should support youth and workforce development, Stauffer shared: “The next generation of skilled workers will lead our world into the future, solve challenges faced by many industries, and create solutions to our collective challenges.”
This is the kind of forward-thinking investment our communities need. GPS Ed is proud to collaborate with a partner that sees the broader picture—one where young people are empowered not just to graduate, but to thrive in careers that matter.
“We’re proud to team up with GPS Ed to introduce students to the high-tech career paths within modern industry and provide them with educational opportunities to pursue various fields,” Stauffer added. “The work-based learning that GPS Ed delivers provides top-tier innovative and immersive learning experiences for students across Wisconsin.”
Let’s Keep Building Together
Grants and community support are some of the most critical building blocks of our work. The belief and generosity of partners like the PPG Foundation allow GPS Ed to keep innovating, adapting, and expanding opportunities for the next generation.
👉 Join us in building the future workforce. To learn how your organization can support programs like ours and make a lasting difference for students, visit gpsed.org.
