WRTP | BIG STEP
The recovery of manufacturing, retirement of an aging workforce, and diversification of the regional economy created a growing skills shortage by the end of the 1990s. The Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership (WRTP) was created to respond to these challenges and has since served as a successful model of pre-employment training for job seekers to qualify for family-sustaining jobs in the industrial sector. The Building Industry Group Skilled Trade Employment Program (BIG STEP) was created in the 1970s to increase the number of women, minorities, and younger workers employed in the building trades. WRTP specializes in the development of hands-on, group-size pre-employment training certificate programs, while BIG STEP focuses on individualized tutoring in academic skills for apprenticeship exams.
The success of WRTP | BIG STEP has established us as a national leader in developing sector-based, creative workforce solutions by bringing together both resources and partners in their efforts to help their members. With a dual-customer approach, the model is not just about retaining jobs in a community but also maintaining the competitiveness of the companies that provide those jobs.
WRTP | BIG STEP
WRTP specializes in the development of hands-on, group-size pre-employment training certificate programs, while BIG STEP focuses on individualized tutoring in academic skills for apprenticeship exams. Explore the path that led the two organizations to join forces:
Vince Toran, Wisconsin’s first Black building trades apprentice, is asked to work for the Labor Education Advancement Program (LEAP), a national pilot program designed to recruit, train, and place more minority and women candidates in skilled jobs.
Project LEAP evolves into BIG STEP, the Building Industry Group Skilled Trades Employment Program. The BIG STEP organization becomes known as a place where people, particularly minorities, go to receive the necessary training for well-paid, prosperous careers.
BIG STEP’s growth expands, thanks to regular contributions from Joint Apprenticeship Committees, Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Carpenters Union, Bricklayers Union, Sheet Metal Union, and Electricians Union.
The Commission on a Quality Workforce recommends the development of partnerships between business, labor, and government to renew the industrial base in the Milwaukee area, and WRTP is born.
WRTP receives funds from the Annie E. Casey Foundation to develop a model program in manufacturing training.
WRTP is awarded a demonstration grant from the United States Department of Labor to replicate the program in other sectors of the nation.
WRTP and BIG STEP partner to facilitate the effective coordination of employer-driven worker readiness, ensuring prospective workers gain the skills and experiences required by employers.
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation selects WRTP for a national Sector Employment Impact Study.
Backed by the support of Governor Jim Doyle, WRTP | BIG STEP establishes the Center of Excellence (COE) for Skilled Trades & Industry.
WRTP | BIG STEP moves into the historic building at 3841 W Wisconsin Avenue, known as the Center of Excellence.
WRTP and BIG STEP formally merge their Boards of Directors as they cement themselves as a single organization.
WRTP | BIG STEP opens its Madison office.
The Racine office of WRTP | BIG STEP opens.
WRTP | BIG STEP is granted funds from Ascendium Education Group to expand apprenticeship pathways on a statewide level.
BIG STEP marks its 50th anniversary with a major renovation of its Milwaukee location, dedicating the training floor with a new name: the Vince Toran Training Center.
WRTP | BIG STEP expands into northern Wisconsin, marking the start of serving communities statewide.
