From the Track to the Trades: BikerFest Mke Builds Youth Workforce Pipeline

Milwaukee, WI — A motorcycle gets their attention. The opportunity can change their future. BikerFest Mke is expanding its partnership with Southeast Sales Powersports to connect its Sliders youth program to motorcycle repair and maintenance education, career exploration, and a first step into the workforce.

The entire Sliders program will participate in learning about motorcycle repair and maintenance. Two participants who meet working-age requirements have been selected for employment opportunities at the dealership, with start dates dependent on required work permits. Younger participants will gain early exposure to the trade while seeing a path from program participation to employment.

For BikerFest Mke, the expansion establishes a workforce development pipeline built on something young people already care about, and a local employer willing to help them take it further.

“Talent is not what Milwaukee’s young people are missing. They need access to places where that talent can be recognized, challenged, and put to work,” said Venisha Simpson, executive director of BikerFest Mke. “Southeast Sales is opening that door. We’re asking more Milwaukee businesses to do the same —bring your expertise, make room for a young person, and help build the workforce and leadership this city’s future depends on.”

Sliders is a year-round program that uses motorcycles to engage young people in rider safety, mentorship, technical education, and personal development. Some participants arrive having never ridden a bicycle. Others come looking for a positive outlet, trusted adults, or a safe place to belong. Their interest in riding becomes an opportunity to develop confidence, discipline, responsibility and leadership.

The expanded partnership gives that growth another setting: a professional service department. Led by CEO and owner John Erdmann, Southeast Sales Powersports is committing its service-team time and expertise to work on program motorcycles with the Sliders team while creating employment opportunities for eligible youth.

“Giving back to the community that has supported our dealership for the past 62 years is very important to us. We want to continue to create opportunities to mentor and support the up-and-coming youth from the City of Milwaukee, which is why we decided to partner with BikerFest Mke and support the Sliders program,” said John Erdmann, CEO of Southeast Sales Powersports. 

Participants will connect science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to the motorcycles in front of them. Maintenance and repair offer practical lessons in measurement, mechanical systems, and troubleshooting, complementing the program’s applied math and financial literacy education.

The work also demands more than technical knowledge. A difficult repair requires patience. Following a procedure requires discipline. Asking for help requires trust. Working alongside others calls for communication, respect, and an understanding that one person’s decisions can affect the whole team. These experiences give participants opportunities to manage frustration, accept feedback, and become people others can count on.

The expansion follows a summer in which Sliders continued practicing but could not race because too many program motorcycles were out of service and repair resources were limited. Southeast Sales is helping address that barrier while making the repair process part of the education. Returning motorcycles to service will protect access to riding and strengthen the program’s capacity to grow.

BikerFest Mke has also acquired additional dirt bikes from the City of Milwaukee that will require assessment. Further technical support, parts, and repair funding could help turn those bikes into additional learning and riding opportunities.

As outdoor practice winds down, the partnership will keep participants connected to their peers, mentors, and goals. Families will see a bridge between a child’s interest and their preparation for adulthood: younger participants can explore a trade, while those entering employment begin learning what a workplace expects of them.

For Southeast Sales, the commitment is an investment in both the community and the industry’s future. Its staff can introduce young people to careers they may never have considered and help them understand the skills and judgment those careers require.

Together, the partners are putting BikerFest Mke’s values: Skill. Safety. Solidarity. to work: developing ability through experience, making preparation and responsibility essential, and sharing the expertise that allows more young people to participate.

BikerFest Mke welcomes employers, skilled-trades professionals, civic partners, and donors to strengthen the pipeline through equipment, repair resources, technical instruction, and age-appropriate employment opportunities. With greater investment, more young people can enter the program, stay involved, and turn ambition into achievement. • Donate: Your contribution directly supports our programming, equipment, and training opportunities. Every dollar helps remove barriers and creates real pathways for youth and families. To donate, visit: https://donorbox.org/sliders-flat-track-racing-program • Volunteer: Give your time and be part of the work on the ground. Volunteers play a critical role in delivering our programs and helping us reach more young people with meaningful experiences. To volunteer, visit: https://qrco.de/volunteeratbikerfestmke About BikerFest Mke BikerFest Mke is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving youth and families through motorcycle-based education and experiences. Its year-round programming combines rider safety, mentorship, STEM learning, mechanics, financial literacy, applied math, and career exploration to develop participants’ skills, character, and leadership. About Southeast Sales Powersports Founded in 1964, Southeast Sales Powersports is a Milwaukee-based powersports dealership and community brand offering motorcycles, recreational vehicles, parts, and service. With deep local roots, Southeast Sales connects riders of all experience levels through a shared passion for powersports and a commitment to lasting relationships. The company’s community-centered approach extends beyond the showroom, reflecting its investment in the people and neighborhoods it serves. For more information, visit southeastsales.com. For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Venisha Simpson[email protected](414) 588-5506