Mid-State awards 97 students with ‘Tools of the Trade’ scholarship to help complete apprenticeships

By Patrick Lynn

Mid-State Technical College has announced that 97 construction and industrial trade apprentices have been awarded Tools of the Trade scholarships by Ascendium this year.

Each apprentice received $2,000 to help cover the costs of equipment, tools, clothing, tuition, and other necessities to support their education and training in their respective trades.

Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, allowing individuals to earn money while learning valuable skills. They offer an alternative pathway to a well-paying career in a high-demand field. According to the most recent apprenticeship completion report from the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), registered apprentices who complete their related instruction through a Wisconsin technical college earn a median annual salary of $85,000, the school said.

Participation in apprenticeship programs at WTCS colleges has grown by about 19 percent over the past five years, indicating their increasing popularity as a route to a successful career. Additionally, 97 percent of employed apprentices continue working in Wisconsin, providing a reliable talent pool for local employers.

Cole Schmidt, Mid-State’s Apprenticeship Advisor & Pathways Navigator, noted that the 97 Mid-State students receiving Tools of the Trade scholarships are part of this trend of continued growth.

“Mid-State’s apprentices are helping to build and support our local businesses 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 receive this additional support as they complete their extensive training.”

In most cases, the employer covers the cost of education for the apprentice and pays for the time spent in classroom-related education. However, financial pressures can make it difficult for many learners to complete apprenticeships, especially while juggling school, work, and family responsibilities.

The Tools of the Trade Scholarship Program aims to help apprentices overcome financial barriers so they can focus on completing their apprenticeships and securing an in-demand job.

“The Tools of the Trade scholarship always seems to come through when it’s needed most,” said Brett Obremski, a third-year IBEW-NECA (union) Construction Electrician apprentice. “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.”

Ascendium has provided over $5 million in scholarships through its Tools of the Trade Scholarship Program over the last 11 years. Apprentices are eligible to apply for a scholarship if they are enrolled at a WTCS college, receiving credit for both fall and spring semesters, enrolled in an eligible construction or industrial trade, and demonstrate 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 [email protected]. For more information on Ascendium, visit ascendiumeducation.org.