Celebrating 50 years is no small feat, and we are eternally grateful for our partners, collaborators, and sponsors. Thanks to our staff, participants, government officials, union partners, employers, CBOs, and supporters, we have been able to reach an incredible number of people across Wisconsin in our mission to introduce the trades as a valuable way to earn a living and support our communities.
BIG STEP comes from a proud history of opening doors for all people. Vincent Toran, the first black carpenter apprentice in the state of Wisconsin, has paved the way for both individuals and businesses alike to benefit from BIG STEP’s apprenticeship trainings and programs; his legacy lives on in BIG STEP’s mission and vision to this day.
BIG STEP is honored to be celebrating 50 years of helping people enter into family-sustaining careers in the skilled trades across Wisconsin—and we’re so excited for the next 50!