This April, 13 Mid-State Technical College construction and industrial trade apprentices received $1,500 Tools of the Trades scholarships from Ascendium Education Group, formerly known as Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates. 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. Wages are modest and financial aid options are limited for apprentices. The Tools of the Trade scholarship assist apprentices with the purchase of expensive tools, clothing and equipment vital to their trades. Tools of the Trade scholarships help these apprentices stay on track in their training.

“It’s satisfying to again see so many Mid-State apprenticeship students apply for and receive a scholarship from Ascendium,” said Mandy Mayek, Mid-State associate dean of Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering and Transportation, Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Construction. “This support will go a long way toward helping them persist in their programs and continue to positively impact their families and local economies.”

Since the Tools of the Trade program was founded in 2013, it has provided over $1.1 million in scholarships to 987 apprentices in Wisconsin, with 64 apprentices at Mid-State receiving scholarships in this time. In total, 95 percent of past recipients either complete their apprenticeships or continue their training the following semester.

Following are the Mid-State apprentices awarded a 2019–2020 Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship:

Ethan Arndt, Construction Electrician (ABC)
Francisco Cruz, Construction Electrician (ABC)
Alexander Gotto, Construction Electrician (ABC)
Ben Grosskopf, Plumber
Lucas Hannemann, Construction Electrician (ABC)
Josh Held, Electrical & Instrumentation Technician
Tenille Karl, Construction Electrician (IBEW/NECA) 
Joseph Kramer, Construction Electrician (ABC)
Cody Lee, Construction Electrician (ABC)
Collin Myhre, Construction Electrician (IBEW/NECA) 
Garrett Radke, Construction Electrician (ABC)
Matt Rees, Construction Electrician (ABC)
Trevor Rhodes, Construction Electrician (ABC)

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. For more information on Ascendium, visit ascendiumphilanthropy.org.