April 17, 2025

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Highlights Youth Apprenticeship Partnership for Investing in Justice: Courthouse Complex Project

Milwaukee County provides career development opportunities in upcoming project

MILWAUKEE – This week, in partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools and AECOM, Milwaukee County announced the selection of local youth apprentices to support the County's ongoing Investing in Justice: Courthouse Complex efforts.

“Partnerships are the way forward. That’s why my administration has made it a priority to partner with contractors and consultants who are willing to hire high school youth apprentices as part of the work they perform for Milwaukee County,” said County Executive David Crowley. “We’ve formed a successful partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools and other districts in the County to identify students who are interested in different career paths. This type of work and partnerships are just the beginning, and we are committed to finding more opportunities to embed training and career development into the work that Milwaukee County does in helping build bright futures for young people across our community.”

The apprentices are students at Rufus King High School and Bradley Tech High School. As they prepare to graduate and look ahead to potential careers in the design and construction industry, this apprenticeship will provide hands-on practical experience. 

“This apprenticeship is more than just a learning experience—it’s a launching pad for these students’ future careers,” said Erin Cherney, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator at Milwaukee Public Schools. “I see this signing as a defining milestone for the students. They’re not only committing to a program that gives them direct access to the design and construction industry, but they’re also taking a serious step toward building careers they may one day lead in.”

The apprentices will work out of the local offices of AECOM and Continuum Architects from March through August, gaining 450 hours of experience while completing assignments and learning from a wide variety of professionals in the design and construction industry.

“At AECOM, we believe that shaping the future of our communities means investing in the next generation of professionals,” said Jeannette Peruchini, Managing Principal | US West Interiors Practice Leader at AECOM. “We’re proud to partner with Milwaukee County and Milwaukee Public Schools to provide the students with hands-on experience through the Investing in Justice: Courthouse Complex project. This apprenticeship will not only expose them to real-world architectural and design work—it will empower them to envision and help build more equitable and innovative public spaces. These students aren’t just observing the process; they’re part of it.”

AECOM, a global infrastructure consulting firm, will provide architectural planning and design services for Milwaukee County’s Investing in Justice: Courthouse Complex project. AECOM will focus on process improvements regarding the new building’s physical footprint, building flow, square footage, and proximity of offices and services, among others. Continuum Architects is partnering with AECOM to provide additional architectural support for the project.

Milwaukee County has identified a critical need to re-envision and invest in the Courthouse Complex facilities – with a particular focus on the nearly 100-year-old Public Safety Building. The current building is crumbling, inefficient and poses risks to community safety and justice. As Milwaukee County considers the best way to invest in Courthouse Complex facilities, partnering with the community is crucial to the success of both local students and the County’s public safety future.

Additional information about the project is available at county.milwaukee.gov/InvestinginJustice.

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