Envision Greater Fond du Lac recently received Northeast Wisconsin (NEW) Manufacturing Alliance’s Community Partnership Award for Project G.R.I.L.L. Project G.R.I.L.L., which stands for Growing Readiness in Learning and Leading, is a hands-on educational program designed to introduce high school students to the career opportunities available in manufacturing and skilled trades within the greater Fond du Lac area. This educational experience teams students from area high schools with local manufacturers to design and build functional grills. During the process, students learn all the aspects associated with taking a product from concept through production. 

Ann Franz, NEW Manufacturing Alliance’s Executive Director stated “The Awards dinner is a celebration of the strong partnerships that have formed between manufacturers and education.” The 14th annual “Excellence in Manufacturing/K-12 Partnerships Awards” was held October 28, 2025 at Resch Expo in Green Bay. The event highlighted the best manufacturing and education collaborations throughout northeast Wisconsin. Emily Waisanen, Workforce Programming Specialist at Envision Greater Fond du Lac, accepted Northeast Wisconsin (NEW) Manufacturing Alliance’s Community Partnership Award on behalf of Envision. 

(Center Front) Emily Waisanen, Workforce Programming Specialist at Envision Greater Fond du Lac, proudly accepted Northeast Wisconsin (NEW) Manufacturing Alliance’s Community Partnership Award on behalf of Envision.