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WUWM 89.7 FM – Wisconsin apprenticeship program participation reached a record high in 2024, report finds

WUWM 89.7 FM - Wisconsin apprenticeship program participation reached a record high in 2024, report finds WUWM 89.7 FM Lake Effect’s Joy Powers spoke with Joe Peterangelo, research director for the Wisconsin Policy Forum, about the recent report on Wisconsin’s apprenticeships and preparation of skilled workers. WRTP | BIG STEP provided data regarding pre-apprenticeship

WUWM 89.7 FM – Wisconsin apprenticeship program participation reached a record high in 2024, report finds2025-08-14T11:03:35-05:00

Mastering Apprenticeships

Source: Wisconsin Policy Forum Wisconsin’s efforts to prepare skilled workers With labor shortages reported in Wisconsin across many industries, it is encouraging that participation in the state’s apprenticeship programs is at a record high. Newer apprenticeship programs in several high-demand health care occupations also appear promising for expansion. Gains could also be made by strengthening

Mastering Apprenticeships2026-01-08T16:25:05-06:00

Nonprofit’s New Computer Lab Set to Serve Thousands of Milwaukee-Area Jobseekers

MILWAUKEE, WIS. (July 30, 2025) — Milwaukee-area jobseekers have a new resource to help them start career pathways in the skilled trades. The Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership | Building Industry Group Skilled Trade Employment Program (WRTP | BIG STEP) received a $10,000 grant from the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, the philanthropy arm of O’Reilly Auto

Nonprofit’s New Computer Lab Set to Serve Thousands of Milwaukee-Area Jobseekers2025-07-31T15:56:02-05:00

2025 Milwaukee Summer Trades Academy Draws 180 Students

As originally written by Ethan Duran in The Daily Reporter A week-long summer trades academy for high school students has returned Milwaukee. WRTP | BIG STEP on Monday launched its annual Milwaukee Summer Trades Academy which will introduce roughly 180 Milwaukee area students to construction careers. The five-day academy will run June 23-27 and will

2025 Milwaukee Summer Trades Academy Draws 180 Students2025-06-24T16:23:02-05:00

Bell to lead statewide expansion for WRTP | BIG STEP

The Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership | Building Industry Group Skilled Trade Employment Program (WRTP | BIG STEP) has hired Laura Bell to lead the statewide expansion of the nonprofit’s certified pre-apprenticeship programming. Bell brings more than 12 years of experience in project management and, as an inside journeyman wireman, a deep knowledge of the

Bell to lead statewide expansion for WRTP | BIG STEP2025-06-18T16:40:25-05:00

WRTP | BIG STEP Treasurer Jeannie Lauret Named Notable Nonprofit Board Leader

As originally published in BizTimes Jeannie Lauret is head of Menomonee Falls-based custom fabricator company Duwe Metal Products. She has served on the board of Milwaukee-based nonprofit WRTP | BIG STEP for five years and currently is the board treasurer. “Duwe Metal Products is engrained in Milwaukee’s subcontractor culture, thanks to Lauret’s leadership,” said Lindsay

WRTP | BIG STEP Treasurer Jeannie Lauret Named Notable Nonprofit Board Leader2025-05-16T11:11:44-05:00

WRTP | BIG STEP Co-Chair Henry Hurt Named Notable Nonprofit Board Leader

As originally published in BizTimes Henry Hurt, founder and president of Wauwatosa-based Hurt Electric Inc., has been on the WRTP | BIG STEP board for 27 years and currently serves as co-chair. “As a 1978 graduate of BIG STEP’s certified pre-apprenticeship training, Hurt brings an incredible understanding of the nonprofit’s programming and the apprenticeship

WRTP | BIG STEP Co-Chair Henry Hurt Named Notable Nonprofit Board Leader2025-05-16T11:11:43-05:00

WRTP | BIG STEP Partner Receives Grant to Fuel Economic Growth

As originally written by Marquette Today. Dr. Yong Bai, McShane Chair and Professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering in the Opus College of Engineering, has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for research and curriculum development of infrastructure construction and engineering. The goal of the Training

WRTP | BIG STEP Partner Receives Grant to Fuel Economic Growth2025-05-09T10:05:06-05:00

WRTP | BIG STEP Gets Grant to Expand Apprenticeship Pathways

As Wisconsin’s skilled trades workforce faces a labor shortage, the number of Registered Apprentices has reached a record high. This is thanks, in part, to WRTP | BIG STEP attracting new talent to the skilled trades and offering accessible training opportunities. With a $10 million grant from Ascendium Education Group, great things are on

WRTP | BIG STEP Gets Grant to Expand Apprenticeship Pathways2025-05-06T11:06:43-05:00

2024 Impact Report: A Year of ‘Strategic Doing’

“Strategic doing” is WRTP | BIG STEP’s critical way of engaging with projects, programs, and goals. This strategic doing propelled us to start and end 2024 in the national spotlight. In January, the former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen toured our Milwaukee office and presented $1.5 million in federal funds to modernize our

2024 Impact Report: A Year of ‘Strategic Doing’2025-04-08T11:33:18-05:00
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