Mid-State Technical College is proud to announce 97 construction and industrial trade apprentices received Tools of the Trade scholarships from Ascendium this year. Each apprentice received $2,000 to use toward the purchase of equipment, tools, clothing, tuition and other needs that help them complete the required education and training for their trade.

Apprenticeships pair on-the-job training with classroom instruction, allowing individuals to “earn while they learn.” They are an alternative pathway to a family-sustaining career in an in-demand field. Wisconsin Technical College System’s (WTCS’s) most recent apprenticeship completion report shows that registered apprentices who complete their related instruction through a Wisconsin technical college earn an annual median salary of $85,000.

Participation in apprenticeship programs at WTCS colleges has increased about 19 percent over the past five years, indicating they are growing in popularity as a pathway to a good job. Additionally, 97 percent of employed apprentices have continued working in Wisconsin, creating a steady talent pipeline for local employers.

According to Mid-State’s Apprenticeship Advisor & Pathways Navigator Cole Schmidt, the 97 Mid-State students receiving a Tools of the Trade scholarship is part of that trend of continued growth.

“Mid-State’s apprentices are helping build and support our local business and community,” Schmidt said. “We’re grateful for all of their hard work and contributions, and it’s truly gratifying to see so many of them earn this additional support as they complete their extensive training.”

In most cases, the employer pays the cost of education for the apprentice and pays for the time spent in classroom-related education. However, financial pressure can make it hard for many learners to complete apprenticeships, especially if they are juggling school, work, and family. The Tools of the Trade Scholarship Program aims to help apprentices overcome financial barriers so they can focus on continuing and completing their apprenticeship and secure an in-demand job.

“The Tools of the Trade scholarship always seems to come through when it's needed most,” said third-year IBEW-NECA (union) Construction Electrician apprentice Brett Obremski. “It has relieved some financial strain by paying for my tuition, books and other supplies for school and given me a little breathing room since having some reduced hours at work.”

Over the last 11 years, Ascendium has provided over $5 million in scholarships through its Tools of the Trade Scholarship Program. Apprentices are eligible to apply for a scholarship if they are enrolled at a WTCS college and receiving credit for both fall and spring semesters, are enrolled in an eligible construction or industrial trade, and demonstrate a financial need.

Mid-State offers 13 apprenticeship programs, including Arborist, Carpenter, Construction Electrician (ABC), Construction Electrician (IBEW-NECA), Electrical & Instrumentation Technician, Ironworker, IT Software Developer, Machinist, Maintenance Technician, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Plumber, and Steamfitter and Steamfitter Service. 

Apprenticeships are training programs that provide learners with on-the-job experience, along with classroom instruction. Many apprentices complete their programs and secure employment with businesses in the central Wisconsin community.

Following are the Mid-State apprentices awarded a 2023–2024 Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship:

Dalton Bembenek – Construction Electrician
Dustin Bergman – Construction Electrician
Jett Biolo – Construction Electrician
Zach Blaes – Plumber
Tragen Bogdonovich – Construction Electrician
Matt Bohman – Plumber
Alex Boyd – Construction Electrician
Christopher    Braun – Construction Electrician
Piper Brey – Machinist
Ben Brown – Construction Electrician
Choua Cha – Steamfitter and Steamfitter Service
Adam Chojnacki – Electrical & Instrumentation Technician
Jordan Decker – Construction Electrician
Caden Dennee – Construction Electrician
Alex Dittrich – Construction Electrician
Cole Ebner – Construction Electrician
Zachary Edwards – Construction Electrician
Brady Edwards – Construction Electrician
Jakob Emerson – Construction Electrician
Ethan Fabry – Construction Electrician
Sevrin Frisch – Construction Electrician
Zachary Geldernick – Construction Electrician
Robert Glodowski II – Plumber
Nicholas Gotto – Construction Electrician
Evan Groshek – Construction Electrician
Carter Grove – Construction Electrician
Nathan Gruber – Construction Electrician
Lucas Gunn – Construction Electrician
Riley Hackbarth – Construction Electrician
Nick Hahner – Construction Electrician
Erustus Hallas – Construction Electrician
River Halopka – Construction Electrician
William Hannemann – Construction Electrician
Thomas Hauge – Construction Electrician
Jeremy Havlovic – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Niko Hewitt – Construction Electrician
Joel Hielema – Construction Electrician
Dylan Hoff – Construction Electrician
Jarrett Homolka – Construction Electrician
Ben Huber – Construction Electrician
Carter Jaecks – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Preston Jensen – Construction Electrician
Carter Jensen – Construction Electrician
Joseph Johnson – Construction Electrician
Jesse Keizer – Construction Electrician
Patrick Kleman – Plumber
Kale Klussendorf – Construction Electrician
Jace Kohel – Steamfitter and Steamfitter Service
James Knutson – Construction Electrician
Jacob Kopf – Construction Electrician
Colby Korth – Construction Electrician
Tucker Kraemer – Construction Electrician
Austin Kuhlka – Plumber
Ryan Kupper – Construction Electrician
Alicia Kwiatowski – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Justice Laskowski – Plumber
Kelvin Lassa – Construction Electrician
Seth Leszczynski – Construction Electrician
Brett Lew – Construction Electrician
Dryden Luther – Construction Electrician
Lucas Mallek – Construction Electrician
Carter Martin – Construction Electrician
John Miller – Construction Electrician
Ty Morgan – Construction Electrician
Hoyt David Olsen – Plumber
Brett Obremski – Construction Electrician
Micah Pachal – Construction Electrician
Noah Parrett – Construction Electrician
Jon Peterson – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Isaiah Plath – Construction Electrician
Mason Rachu – Construction Electrician
Austin Richmond – Construction Electrician
Gerald Rickaby – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Ryan Rucinski – Construction Electrician
Mason Sauter – Construction Electrician
Peyton Scheuer – Plumber
Brandon Schiferl – Construction Electrician
Christian Scheunemann – Steamfitter and Steamfitter Service
Cole Schuenemann – Construction Electrician
Nathan Simmons – Construction Electrician
Ben Sinclair – Construction Electrician
Derwin Smith – Machinist
Radly Staudenraus – Maintenance Technician
John Stortz – Steamfitter and Steamfitter Service
Brock Sullivan – Construction Electrician
Colten Trickle – Steamfitter and Steamfitter Service
John Uphoff – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
James Van De Loop – Steamfitter and Steamfitter Service
Ayden Weisenberger – Steamfitter and Steamfitter Service
Avery Wellens – Construction Electrician
Riley Wilcott – Construction Electrician
Logan Wilhelm – Construction Electrician
Austin Wolfe – Construction Electrician
Mathew Lucht – Construction Electrician
Brandon Whitney – Construction Electrician
Isaac Wogerman – Electrical & Instrumentation Technician

For questions or to request additional information about apprenticeships offered at Mid-State Technical College, visit mstc.edu/apprenticeship or contact Cole Schmidt at 715-422-5526 or cole.schmidt@mstc.edu. For more information on Ascendium, visit ascendiumeducation.org.