WRTP | BIG STEP

Water & Sewer Entry-Level Construction Skills (ELCS) Training Program: Milwaukee 2025
2025-10-13, 2025-10-14, 2025-10-15, 2025-10-16, 2025-10-17 | Milwaukee WRTP | BIG STEP, 3841 West Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53208, United States
This Entry-Level Construction Skills certified pre-apprenticeship training provides credentials and hands-on experience to connect individuals to careers in construction.
In partnership with Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), this incentivized program focuses on the water and sewer sector, preparing participants for apprenticeships in the trades with steamfitters, electricians, plumbers, sheet metal, ironworkers, and more.
Classes Run:
August 18 – December 12 at WRTP | BIG STEP Milwaukee & MATC’s Milwaukee Campus
Attend an Info Session to Learn More:
July 22, July 29, or August 5
5 – 6 PM at WRTP | BIG STEP
This program will make you STAND OUT*
Classes Include:

OSHA certification
First aid/CPR
Construction mathematics
Basic blueprint reading
Principles of water resources
CDL preparation
Hands-on projects
Trades application assistance
Contractor engagement & networking

Requirements:

Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a license
High school diploma, GED, or HSED
Social Security card
Updated resume
Drug-free (ability to PASS a drug screen)
Seeking a career in construction

*Successful completion of this program increases your opportunity for a career in the skilled trades in the water sector. The employers recruiting for this opportunity are all equal opportunity employers. This program is available at no cost to eligible candidates.

Racine Highway Construction Skills Training Program 2025
2025-10-13, 2025-10-14, 2025-10-15, 2025-10-16, 2025-10-17 | Racine Office, 1001 S Main St R119, Racine, WI, 53403, United States
WRTP I BIG STEP administers a Highway Construction Skills Training Program that is recognized statewide by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). This program provides credentials and hands-on experiences that connect individuals to careers in construction. This program will make you STAND OUT.*
Successful completion of this program increases your opportunity for a career in the skilled trades.
Classes include:

OSHA certification
First aid/CPR
Flagger’s training
Construction mathematics
Tool & material identification
Basic blueprint reading
CDL preparation
Hands-on projects
Trades application assistance
Contractor engagement & networking

Requirements:

Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a license
High school diploma, GED, or HSED
Social security card
Updated Resume
Drug-free (ability to pass a drug screen)
Seeking a career in construction

Orientation Session:

October 1, 2025 | Register by September 22

Training Sessions:

October 7 – November 21

For more information, contact Milton Chitatariso at (608) 739-9722 or mchitatariso@wrtp.org.
Classes are held 7 weeks, Monday – Friday, at Gateway Racine and iMET Campus
*This program is funded in part by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and is available at no cost for eligible candidates. The employers recruiting for this opportunity are all equal opportunity employers.

Electric Skills Class Sessions: Milwaukee
2025-10-13 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-14 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-15 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-16 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-17 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Milwaukee WRTP | BIG STEP, 3841 West Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53208, United States
Take charge of your future!
Work toward a career in construction. Our FREE short-term training program provides pre-apprenticeship instruction for electrical and pre-apprenticeship certification.
Classes include:

OSHA certification
Construction mathematics
Electrician coursework
Hands-on training
Trades application assistance
Employer engagement & networking

Requirements:

Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a license
High school diploma, GED, or HSED
Social Security card
Updated resume
Drug-free (ability to PASS a drug screen)
Completed ACCUPLACER test

Take charge of your future!
Work toward a career in construction. Our FREE short-term training program provides pre-apprenticeship instruction for electrical and pre-apprenticeship certification.
Classes include:

OSHA certification
Construction mathematics
Electrician coursework
Hands-on training
Trades application assistance
Employer engagement & networking

Requirements:

Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a license
High school diploma, GED, or HSED
Social Security card
Updated resume
Drug-free (ability to PASS a drug screen)
Completed ACCUPLACER test

Recruitment Session
September 2 at 2 PM
Classes Held
September 8 – November 7, Monday through Friday from 9 AM – 2 PM
For more information, contact us at (414) 342-9787 or email dboyd@wrtp.org.
Registration is required; please sign up here.
Sign Up for More InformationSkilled Trades Employment Program is available at no cost for eligible candidates. The employers recruiting for this opportunity are all opportunity employers. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Award Number DE-EE0011256. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Energy or the United States Government.

She Drives the Future: Women’s CDL Training Program
2025-10-13 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-14 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-15 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-16 09:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-17 09:00 - 14:00 | 3841 W WISCONSIN AVE, 3841 W WISCONSIN AVE, MILWAUKEE, 53208
WRTP I BIG STEP’s Entry-Level Construction Skills (ELCS) training is a certified pre-apprenticeship training through the State of Wisconsin. This program provides credentials and hands-on experience that connect women seeking careers in commercial driving and construction.
Requirements:

Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a license
High school diploma, GED, or HSED
Social security card
Updated resume
CDL permit (or the ability to get one)
Ability to pass the Department of Transportation’s physical and pass the drug screen
Good driving record

No OWl or DWI in the last five years
No more than one OWI or DWI offense in your license history
No more than five points against your driving record in the last five years

Classes include:

CDL Class A training & behind the wheel
OSHA certification
First aid/CPR
Flagger’s training
Construction mathematics
Basic blueprint reading
Tool & material identification
Hands-on projects
Trades application assistance
Contractor engagement & networking

WRTP I BIG STEP’s Entry-Level Construction Skills (ELCS) training is a certified pre-apprenticeship training through the State of Wisconsin. This program provides credentials and hands-on experience that connect women seeking careers in commercial driving and construction.
Classes include:

CDL Class A training & behind the wheel
OSHA certification
First aid/CPR
Flagger’s training
Construction mathematics
Basic blueprint reading
Tool & material identification
Hands-on projects
Trades application assistance
Contractor engagement & networking

Requirements:

Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a license
High school diploma, GED, or HSED
Social security card
Updated resume
CDL permit (or the ability to get one)
Ability to pass the Department of Transportation’s physical and drug screen
Good driving record

No OWl or DWI in the last five years
No more than one OWI or DWI offense in your license history
No more than five points against your driving record in the last five years

Informational Session
August 18, August 25, or September 4
Classes Held
September 22 – December 12, 2025
For more information, contact us at (414) 342-9787 or email dboyd@wrtp.org.
Attendance at an informational session is required for enrollment. Please fill out the form here to indicate your preferred session.
This program is funded in part by United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County and is available at no cost for eligible candidates.
Register Now

Entry-Level Manufacturing Skills (ELMS) Training: Madison 2025
2025-10-13 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-14 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-15 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-16 18:00 - 21:00 | WRTP | BIG STEP MADISON, 2829 Perry St, Ste 205, Madison, WI, 53713, United States
Entry-Level Manufacturing Skills (ELMS) Orientation: Madison
Learn practical skills and begin your career with WRTP | BIG STEP’s Entry-Level Manufacturing Skills (ELMS) training at no cost to you!
In partnership with Madison Area Technical College and our area employer partners, this comprehensive Entry-Level Manufacturing Skills training provides industry-recognized credentials in addition to hands-on skill development with a direct pathway to employment. Register for our orientation on September 3 at 4 PM to learn more.
ORIENTATION
September 3, 2025 at 4 PM
Held at the BIG STEP Office (2829 Perry St, Ste 205; Madison, WI 53713)
TRAINING SCHEDULE*
Monday – Thursday | 6 PM – 9 PM | September 8 – October 30
*Classroom instruction provided at BIG STEP and Madison Area Technical College.
REQUIREMENTS

Valid driver’s license or state ID
Proof of high school graduation
Social Security card

Register by Monday, September 1
Contact WRTP | BIG STEP with any questions:
(608) 255-0155 | jwiltse@wrtp.org
Learn More

2025 BIG STEP Orientation Sessions: Milwaukee
2025-10-14 16:00 - 17:00 | WI
BIG STEP (Building Industry Group Skilled Trades Employment Program) is an apprenticeship readiness tutoring and training program dedicated to helping community residents prepare for and succeed in careers in the construction trades.
This orientation provides:

Overview of WRTP | BIG STEP trainings and programs
Exposure to occupations and career pathways within the skilled trades
Assessment of individual needs and strengths
Test, tutoring, and other employment preparatory services
Plan of action for employment

Orientation:
March 11 | 6 PM
March 22 | 9 AM
April 1 | 9 AM
April 8 | 4 PM*
April 19 | 9 AM
May 6 | 9 AM
May 13 | 4 PM*
May 24 | 9 AM
June 3 | 9 AM
June 10 | 4 PM*
June 28 | 9 AM
July 1 | 9 AM
July 15 | 4 PM*
July 26 | 9 AM
August 5 | 9 AM
August 12 | 4 PM*
August 23 | 9 AM
September 2 | 9 AM
September 9 | 4 PM*
September 20 | 9 AM
October 7 | 9 AM
October 14 | 4 PM*
October 25 | 9 AM
November 4 | 9 AM
November 11 | 4 PM*
November 22 | 9 AM
December 2 | 9 AM
December 9 | 4 PM*
December 20 | 9 AM
*This session is an evening orientation ONLY, with testing that takes place on the following Thursday
Learn more:

The Trades: Virtual Education Series
2025-10-16 15:00 - 16:00 | VIRTUAL EVENT
Join us for this informative webinar during one of the following dates:

October 9, 2025 | 6 – 7 PM
October 16, 2025 | 3 – 4 PM
October 25, 2025 | 8 – 9 AM

Questions? Contact Laura Bell: lbell@wrtp.org or (920) 961-2159
Session 1: Trades Today—A Viable Career
Join us in exploring the trades today, learning the difference between union and non-union options, and getting resources for follow-up discussions (including a parent’s guide).
This webinar invites parents, students, school counselors, or anyone who wants to learn more about the construction trades as a solid career option.
Register Now
