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
“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
MILWAUKEE, WI (March 18, 2025) - Milwaukee-based WRTP | BIG STEP has been awarded funding from Madison-based Ascendium Education Group to lead the newly formed Apprenticeship Pathway Coalition Initiative (APCI). Ascendium has granted WRTP | BIG STEP up to $10,000,000 over the next five years to develop Wisconsin's future apprenticeship-focused workforce. These funds are designated
As first published by Omar Waheed on Madison 365. The Latino Academy of Workforce Development has teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County and WRTP | BIG STEP to host a construction career fair on March 7. The career fair aims to bring 20 employers in construction to connect with
Milwaukee, WI — Following President Joe Biden’s official announcement naming WRTP I BIG STEP as the Anchor Institution for Milwaukee’s Workforce Hub, WRTP I BIG STEP is launching a comprehensive outreach and communications strategy aimed at engaging a wide array of stakeholders. This plan will ensure the benefits of this national recognition flow to employers,
As originally published by WisBusiness The Madison Area Builders Association (MABA) and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County (BGCDC) are celebrating the first anniversary of the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center. Developed by BGCDC and MABA and powered by partnerships with area organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, WRTP | BIG STEP, and
Recently, WRTP | BIG STEP was featured by TMJ4 News for our talent pipelines that connect people with sustainable careers in the skilled trades! We provide education, hands-on training, and ongoing support to connect individuals directly with future employers. Take Jade Retic's story, for example. Through our programs, Jade is gaining the skills and knowledge
We’re thrilled to announce CEO Lindsay Blumer was asked to speak on Comcast’s Newsmakers during the 2024 National Skills Coalition Summit! This esteemed program highlights leaders making a difference across various industries. In the interview, Blumber discussed WRTP | BIG STEP’s ongoing commitment to bridging the nation’s skills gap by exposing young people to
As originally written by Ethan Duran for The Daily Reporter. Last week, WRTP | BIG STEP and the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council hosted a record-breaking number of curious high school students at the 2024 Milwaukee Summer Trades Academy. The multi-day event featured 14 different trades and took place at different trade halls
2023 was a year of significant change across the nation, including unprecedented investments in infrastructure and a record-breaking number of active apprenticeships. In WRTP | BIG STEP’s 2023 Impact Report, we look back on the amazing partnerships, events, and programs that have allowed our communities to flourish. WRTP | BIG STEP has implemented MSSC/HSED
