At WRTP | BIGSTEP, our WANTO (Women in Nontraditional Occupations) program is transforming lives and careers right here in Milwaukee. Through tailored training, case management, and supportive services, we’re breaking down barriers and empowering women to thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields. One shining example of success in the WANTO program is Carshella Porter, a determined
Madison, WI – Following a competitive process, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin selected the Wisconsin Broadband Workforce Coalition to lead workforce development planning efforts for the more than $1 billion broadband infrastructure investment coming to Wisconsin. The coalition will be led by Josh Morby and executives from WRTP | BIG STEP, a nationally
Robert Artley and Zacharias Smith have similar stories: Both came to WRTP | BIG STEP as veterans after falling on hard times, and both found themselves job-hopping with little success, lacking confidence, and looking for support that could lead them back to family-supporting careers. They got the support they needed when the Center for
Isaias Cisneros is a second-generation Mexican American born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys music, art, physical activity, and practicing his faith. Before enrolling in WRTP | BIG STEP, Isaias worked at Kwik Trip but felt unfulfilled in his job. Isaias learned about WRTP | BIG
Jessica Lazo Figueroa, 17 years old and a senior at Madison East High School, is a Youth Apprentice through the Madison Metropolitan School District. Growing up, she always wanted a career in construction, but did not have much knowledge about it or know where to begin. She heard about WRTP | BIG STEP through
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
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
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
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
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.
