In April, 86 Mid-State Technical College construction and industrial trade apprentices received $2,000 Tools of the Trades scholarships from Ascendium.

The Tools of the Trade awards are designed to help apprentices with financial need in the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) complete their programs and continue earning in their high-demand careers. With financial aid options limited for apprentices, the Tools of the Trade scholarship assist apprentices with the purchase of expensive tools, clothing and equipment vital to their trades. 

“We are very proud of our apprentices and the positive impact they have on our local business and community,” said Cole Schmidt, former apprentice and current Mid-State apprenticeship advisor and pathways navigator. “This opportunity is a small token of appreciation for their continued hard work.” 

“The 86 Tools of the Trade scholarships awarded to Mid-State apprentices this year more than doubles the number awarded to our apprentices last year, and we are excited to continue to grow this number in the future and offer additional supports,” Schmidt added. 

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, Millwrights/Maintenance Mechanic, Plumber, Steamfitter and Service Steamfitter. 

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.

This year alone, Ascendium has awarded over 700 scholarships to apprentices in Wisconsin totaling more than $1.5 million. To be eligible for the Tools of the Trade Scholarship Program, apprentices must enroll in an eligible construction or industrial trade apprenticeship and receive credit for both fall and spring semesters.

Following are the Mid-State apprentices awarded a 2022–2023 Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship:

Thomas Aiello – Electrical & Instrumentation Technician
Cody Alexander – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Carson Baguhn – Construction Electrician
Michael Basinski – Construction Electrician
Tragen Bogdonovich – Construction Electrician
Christopher Braun – Construction Electrician
Talon Bronk – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Ben Brown – Construction Electrician
Luke Carpenter Jr – Construction Electrician
Sam Crotty – Construction Electrician
Samuel Dallman – Construction Electrician
Cole Ebner – Construction Electrician
Christina Ermis – Construction Electrician
Ethan Fabry – Construction Electrician
Hailey Fisher – Construction Electrician
Joseph Foth – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Blake Furger – Steamfitter
Cameron Gebert – Construction Electrician
David Geiger – Construction Electrician
Zachary Geldernick – Construction Electrician
Robert Glodowski II – Plumber
Nicholas Gotto – Construction Electrician
Mason Grassl – Construction Electrician
Brandon Guck – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Lucas Gunn – Construction Electrician
Riley Hackbarth – Construction Electrician
Kaiden Hagen – Plumber
Nick Hahner – Construction Electrician
River Halopka – Construction Electrician
Erik Hanneman – Maintenance Technician
Lucas Hannemann – Construction Electrician
William Hannemann – Construction Electrician
Niko Hewitt – Construction Electrician
Ben Huber – Construction Electrician
Trevor Hutchins – Machinist
Connor Iverson – Construction Electrician
Joseph Johnson – Construction Electrician
Dylan Keen – Plumber
Joshua Koltonski – Construction Electrician
Jacob Kopf – Construction Electrician
Joseph Kramer – Construction Electrician
Austin Kuhlka – Plumber
Alicia Kwiatowski – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Justice Laskowski – Plumber
Kelvin Lassa – Construction Electrician
Jesse Lenhard – Steamfitter
Dustin Lepak – Steamfitter
Brett Lew – Construction Electrician
Shawn Lowery – Machinist
Mathew Lucht – Maintenance Technician
Clayton Mancl – Machinist
Kevin Mcculley – Construction Electrician
Gage Meddaugh – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Toby Mirr – Maintenance Technician
Ty Morgan – Construction Electrician
Collin Myhre – Construction Electrician
Brett Obremski – Construction Electrician
Micah Pachal – Construction Electrician
David Peterson – Steamfitter
Shaun Peterson – Electrical & Instrumentation Technician
Ethan Puza – Plumber
Devon Rink – Construction Electrician
Ryan Rucinski – Construction Electrician
Peyton Scheuer – Plumber
Brandon Schiferl – Construction Electrician
Tyler Schudy – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Nathan Simmons – Construction Electrician
Ben Sinclair – Construction Electrician
David Sletten – Construction Electrician
Derwin Smith – Machinist
Trapper Softich – Steamfitter
Radly Staudenraus – Maintenance Technician
John Stortz – Steamfitter
Colin Sutton – Construction Electrician
Jacob Timmerman – Steamfitter
Kole Trzebiatowski – Machinist
John Uphoff – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
Andrew Venzke – Construction Electrician
Jeremy Vetrone – Steamfitter
Jeremy Wegner – Steamfitter
Avery Wellens – Construction Electrician
Jacob Wendorf – Construction Electrician
Riley Wilcott – Construction Electrician
Jaden Wilhelm – Plumber
Adam Zager – Maintenance Technician
Dustin Zdun – Construction Electrician

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.