José Garcia is a union journey worker carpenter and the father of nine children. His journey to and through the skilled trades held many challenges, but it ultimately fulfilled his dreams. When José first learned of WRTP | BIG STEP, he had recently returned from incarceration and was struggling to find a job due… Continue Reading WRTP | BIG STEP Success Series: José Garcia’s Success Story
My name is Justin Hirsch. I’m 31 years old and a father of three beautiful children. I enjoy spending time with family, fishing, boating, and camping. In my early teenage years, I struggled on and off with drug addiction; this led to me being a felon in my early twenties, which made it hard… Continue Reading WRTP | BIG STEP Success Series: Justin Hirsch’s Success Story
Gabriel Gniot graduated from WRTP | BIG STEP’s Entry Level Construction Skills (ELCS) program in 2022 and is currently a carpenter apprentice with Selzer-Ornst. From a young age, he always had a passion for working with his hands and creating things. Initially, he had aspirations of becoming a civil engineer, but later discovered… Continue Reading WRTP | BIG STEP Success Series: Gabriel Gniot’s Success Story
Originally published by Channel 3000 JANESVILLE, Wis. — Groups across south-central Wisconsin are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week. In Rock County, the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board and Blackhawk Technical College teamed up to host an event aimed at teaching business members and educators how to build a workforce pipeline through youth and registered apprenticeship… Continue Reading Groups Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, WRTP | BIG STEP of South Central Wisconsin and the Building Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin are hosting an Apprenticeship Career Day & Fair on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Plumbers Local 75 Training Center, 2102 E Springs Dr., Madison, WI.… Continue Reading Governor Evers and Wisconsin State Officials to Attend WRTP | BIG STEP’s Apprenticeship Career Day & Fair
Originally published by The 19th The federal government is investing $65 billion in expanding broadband, and two-thirds of that money will be directed toward programs that encourage better hiring and retention practices for women and people of color, who have been severely underrepresented in the field. Broadband is expected to add 36,000 telecommunications equipment… Continue Reading The Biden administration wants to expand broadband access and job opportunities for women and people of color
WRTP | BIG STEP is proud to announce that we are a National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) affiliate. As an NDIA affiliate, our vision is that everyone has the opportunity to use technology to live, learn, work, and thrive. Digital equity is most effectively driven by community efforts that combine affordable home broadband service,… Continue Reading WRTP | BIG STEP is a National Digital Inclusion Alliance Affiliate
In the 1990s, Milwaukee’s traditional industry base faced a lot of challenges. The combination of the recovery of manufacturing, retirement of an aging workforce and the diversification of the regional economy created a growing skills shortage. It was during this time period that the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership was founded to meet some of… Continue Reading WRTP | BIG STEP changing workforce cultures through training
WRTP | BIG STEP is thrilled to be named the 2022 Workforce Development Organization of the Year by The Daily Reporter. Each year, The Daily Reporter honors construction and development industry estimators, educators, innovators, project managers, builders, unsung heroes, and others through their Newsmakers of the Year awards. The 2022 honorees were announced on… Continue Reading The Daily Reporter to Honor WRTP | BIG STEP at the 2022 Newsmakers of the Year Awards
As published by the Daily Reporter On July 12, the US Department of Labor (DOL) announced its first cohort of Apprenticeship Ambassadors and Wisconsin workforce intermediary WRTP | BIG STEP is honored to be among them. The cohort includes community-based organizations, educators, employers, equity partners, industry associations, labor organizations, state organizations, program sponsors, and… Continue Reading WRTP | BIG STEP Named Apprenticeship Ambassador by US DOL
