The Milwaukee Metropolitan School District (MMSD) aims to have a robust talent pipeline from underserved communities. Through community connections, MMSD engaged and partnered with WRTP | BIG STEP to help non-traditional candidates enter and navigate the challenges of an apprenticeship, especially in the first few years. Candidates are recruited from the local communities and build their skill sets through a four-week entry level construction skills training and receive tutoring assistance for the General Educational Development (GED).
A special report from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) entitled “A Compendium of Water Workforce Case Studies from Across the Country” details the value WRTP | BIG STEP has brought to MMSD. Over the last eight years, 22 percent of construction apprentices on MMSD capital projects received pre-apprentice training from WRTP BIG STEP, and the apprentices provided 25,000 construction hours. Read the full report here and learn more about WRTP’s involvement on pages 18 – 22.