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… Continue Reading From Unfulfilling Job to New Career: Isaias Cisneros
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… Continue Reading Early Start to Apprenticeship: Jessica Lazo Figueroa
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 From Incarceration to Journeyworker: José Garcia
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 Securing a Family-Supporting Career: Justin Hirsch
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 From High School to Full-Time Career: Gabriel Gniot
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
