In April, 42 Mid-State Technical College construction and industrial trade apprentices received $1,500 Tools of the Trades scholarships from Ascendium Education Group. The awards are designed to help apprentices with financial need in the Wisconsin Technical College System complete their programs and continue earning in their high-demand careers.

Most apprenticeships combine up to five years of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. With financial aid options are limited for apprentices, the Tools of the Trade scholarships assist apprentices with the purchase of expensive tools, clothing and equipment vital to their trades. Tools of the Trade scholarships help these apprentices often stay on track in their training.

“Supporting apprentices in their efforts to complete their programming has a positive impact not only to the apprentices themselves, but to their families, the businesses that employ them, and ultimately, to our local community and economy,” said Mandy Mayek, Mid-State associate dean of Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering and Transportation, Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Construction.  “We’re proud to have had one of the highest rates of application and award in our district and grateful for the support this will afford our apprentices.”

Since the Tools of the Trade program was founded in 2013, the nonprofit has provided over $2 million in scholarships 987 apprentices in Wisconsin, with 64 apprentices at Mid-State receiving scholarships in this time. In total, more than 90 percent of past recipients either complete their apprenticeships or continue their training in the fall following their scholarship award.

Following are the Mid-State apprentices awarded a 2021–2022 Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship:

Carson Baguhn – Construction Electrician
Francisco Cruz – Construction Electrician
Samuel Dallman – Construction Electrician
Jordan Decker – Construction Electrician
Tanner Depies – Construction Electrician
Jordan Egle – Construction Electrician
Ethan Fabry – Construction Electrician
Wyatt Gawlik – Construction Electrician
Nicholas Gotto – Construction Electrician
Riley Hackbarth – Construction Electrician
Isaac Hammel – Plumber
Erik Hanneman – Maintenance Technician
William Hannemann – Construction Electrician
Ben Huber – Construction Electrician
Trevor Hutchins – Machinist
Tenille Karl – Construction Electrician
Dylan Keen – Plumber
Jacob Kopf – Construction Electrician
Joseph Kramer – Construction Electrician
Austin Kuhlka – Plumber
Jesse Lenhard – Steamfitting
Ethan Meddaugh – Plumber
Toby Mirr – Maintenance Technician
Collin Myhre – Construction Electrician
Brett Obremski – Construction Electrician
Matthew O’Connor – Machinist
Shaun Peterson – Electrical & Instrumentation Technician
Matt Rees – Construction Electrician
Trevor Rhodes – Construction Electrician
Ryan Rucinski – Construction Electrician
Nick Sautner – Construction Electrician
Peyton Scheuer – Plumber
Alexander Schmidt – Construction Electrician
Evan Schulfer – Carpenter
Nathan Simmons – Construction Electrician
David Sletten – Construction Electrician
Collin Smith – Plumber
Derwin Smith – Machinist
Avery Wellens – Construction Electrician
Riley Wilcott – Construction Electrician
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 Mandy Mayek at 715-422-5494 or mandy.mayek@mstc.edu. For more information on Ascendium, visit ascendiumphilanthropy.org.