Funds Help Cover Cost of Equipment, Tools and Clothing to Keep Apprentices on Path to Completion

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Seven Mid-State Technical College construction and industrial trade apprentices have each received $1,500 scholarships from Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates. The Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship program helps apprentices with financial need to complete their programs and advance to in-demand jobs.

Most apprenticeships combine up to five years of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Wages are modest and financial aid options are limited. With Tools of the Trade scholarships, apprentices can purchase expensive tools, clothing and equipment vital to their trades.

“I’m pleased to see so many Mid-State students apply for and receive a scholarship from Great Lakes,” said Mandy Mayek, Mid-State apprenticeship and work-based learning coordinator. “This support will help them afford the education they need to compete for high-paying jobs.”

Since the scholarship program was founded in 2013, 40 Mid-State Technical College apprentices have received scholarships from Great Lakes. In total, 94 percent of recipients across the Wisconsin Technical College System have either completed or continued their apprenticeships the following semester.

“We are optimistic that the program will be just as beneficial to the 200 technical college students who received scholarships this year as those in previous years,” said Richard D. George, president and chief executive officer of Great Lakes. “We’re proud to help Wisconsin’s hardworking apprentices build brighter futures.”

The following Mid-State apprentices were awarded a 2017–2018 Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship:

Maxwell Brotz, Plumber
Robert Brown Jr., Ironworker
Dan Elsinger, Plumber
Riley Geiger, Electrician
Timothy Hulka, Plumber
Garrett Radke, Electrician
Jared Szymanski, Electrician

For questions or to request additional information about apprenticeships offered at Mid-State Technical College, visit mstc.edu/apprenticeship or contact the apprenticeship and work-based learning coordinator, Mandy Mayek, at 715.422.5494 or mandy.mayek@mstc.edu. For more information on Great Lakes, visit home.mygreatlakes.org.