WRTP | BIG STEP is proud to announce it has been selected to join the 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator, the largest national network of youth-serving nonprofits focused on improving young people’s employment prospects.
As part of the year-long program, WRTP | BIG STEP will receive funding, training, and networking opportunities to expand its impact and help even more young people in Wisconsin gain the skills they need to secure and find meaningful employment.
WRTP | BIG STEP is a nonprofit that provides free certified pre-apprenticeship training at its Wisconsin locations for both youth and adult participants. The training prepares individuals to go directly into Registered Apprenticeships in construction and manufacturing jobs, paving the path to stable, family-sustaining careers. In 2024, the nonprofit served more than 2,200 people, and tens of thousands more over the past 50 years in operation.
With one in 10 young people in the U.S. not in school or work, the Accelerator program is part of a nationwide drive to ensure that by 2030, all young Americans will have the skills needed to find work in a rapidly changing job market.
Set up with support from Dell Technologies and Deloitte, the accelerator allows youth-serving nonprofits focused on skills development and employment to collaborate and grow. Since then, it has invested in 28 organizations across 22 states, positively impacting more than 200,000 young people.
“At WRTP | BIG STEP, we are committed to bridging the gap between talent and opportunity for young people in underserved communities,” said Lindsay Blumer, President & CEO. “Being selected for this prestigious program is a testament to the hard work of our team and the potential of the young people we serve. We’re excited to collaborate with other inspiring organizations to tackle youth skills and employment needs together.”
Justin van Fleet, CEO, Global Business Coalition for Education, said: “The Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator helps nonprofits working with young people from underserved communities to connect with other organizations, businesses, and funders to improve young people’s skills and employment prospects.”
This year’s cohort of nonprofits will benefit from:
- Access to a nationwide network of nonprofits, businesses, and funders working to close the youth skills gap
- Corporate pro-bono support, including technology donations, volunteer consulting, and specialized training
- Opportunities to pitch for funding and participate in conferences to build their visibility and networks
For further information, please contact:
Stephanie Gallion
Chief Marketing Officer
WRTP | BIG STEP
sgallion@wrtp.org
414-937-3631
About WRTP | BIG STEP
WRTP | BIG STEP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce intermediary dedicated to connecting people to family-sustaining jobs. Our mission is to enhance the ability of public and private sector organizations to recruit, develop, and retain a more diverse, qualified workforce in construction, manufacturing, and emerging sectors of the regional economy. Learn more at www.wrtp.org
About the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator
The Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator is the largest national network of youth-serving nonprofits focused on equipping young people with the skills needed to succeed in the workforce. Supported by Dell Technologies, Deloitte, and the Global Business Coalition for Education.
About the Global Business Coalition for Education
Theirworld’s Global Business Coalition for Education (GBC- Education) is a movement of businesses committed to ending the global education crisis and unleashing the potential of future generations. Established in 2012 by the global children’s charity Theirworld, GBC-Education is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leverages the collective power of business, government, NGOs, and today’s youth to achieve the goal of education and opportunity for all.
