2025 MTCE Helps Students Construct a Bright Future

For Immediate Release
Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Greater Menomonee Falls & Sussex
Date: 10/28/2025
 
Manufacturing and Trade Career Expo Helps Students Construct a Bright Future
 
West Bend, WI: The Manufacturing and Trade Career Expo (MTCE) is a yearly event that is hosted by the Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce and The Chamber of Greater Menomonee Falls and Sussex during Manufacturing Month.  This year the presenting sponsor was Nicolet Plastics, LLC and the MTCE occurred during the mornings of October 15 and October 16, to great success. About 1,000 middle and high school students engaged with 45 local manufacturing and trade leaders that provided informational, interactive and educational displays at the Washington County Fair Park.
 
The mission of the MTCE for the past 16 years, is to assist in the development of a future workforce by raising student awareness of the companies and opportunities in the local manufacturing and trades industries, as well as corresponding educational pathways. Vendors from companies such as Nicolet Plastics, Dielectric Manufacturing, Wacker Neuson, MGS Mfg and Sussex IM were able to share their own experiences and expertise with students in a direct setting and educate on potential jobs, apprenticeships and job shadowing opportunities.
 
Each year, a portion of the proceeds from MTCE is dedicated to funding education scholarships.  To date, over $80,000 through this event, has been raised for students going into manufacturing and the trades in the Germantown, Sussex Hamilton & Menomonee Falls School Districts.
 
“The MTCE has grown tremendously in the past few years as parents, the main influences on their child’s academic future, have become more open towards technical school training, manufacturing and the trades.  Promoting these occupations and schools puts their students in an excellent position to start a quality career with little to no debt and a chance to concentrate on the career they love, instead of the student loan bills waiting for them at home,” said Joletta Kerpan, the Executive Director at the Germantown Chamber.  “The MTCE reflects our shared commitment to educating and developing the next generation of talent.  When students can see and experience career opportunities close to home, it helps them imagine a future here – and that is how we retain talent and strengthen our communities for years to come,” said Aaron Miller, Executive Director of The Chamber of Greater Menomonee Falls & Sussex.
 
The 2026 Manufacturing and Trade Career Expo is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21 and Thursday, October 22 at Washington County Fair Park in West Bend, WI. More information and details of this free event can be found at www.germantownchamber.org/mtce-manufacturing-trade-career-expo.  Questions about scholarships or the event can be directed to either Chamber at executivedirector@germantownchamber.org or info@gmfschamber.com.
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