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MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has awarded over $2.4 million in Wisconsin Fast Forward worker training grants to 17 Wisconsin employers across the state to train more than 1,000 workers to meet workforce needs in the agriculture, construction, health care, manufacturing, and transportation sectors.
The grants provide $2,412,209 in funds to reimburse the cost of occupational training for unemployed, underemployed, and current workers, supporting career growth by qualifying trainees for full-time work, a higher level of employment, or increased wages. Some projects include partnerships with community organizations, local employers, and industry associations.
"Investments through Wisconsin Fast Forward grants are proven to expand the state's talent pipeline and connect unemployed and other workers with in-demand skills that are needed for family-supporting jobs," said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. “These partnerships provide training to bridge the gap between the supply and demand for skilled workers to help address Wisconsin's workforce needs.”
The state launched the Wisconsin Fast Forward program in 2013 to help businesses train and retain highly skilled workers and address the skills gap. Since then, these grants have provided more than $57 million to support 507 workforce training projects and benefited more than 31,000 workers.
Employers must meet these minimum requirements to receive funding:
- 85% of participants must complete training
- 65% must gain employment (the unemployed, hired; the underemployed, promoted)
- 75% of incumbent trainees receive pay raises
- 75% of trainees completing courses (that offer certifications) receive certifications
The $2,412,209 in Wisconsin Fast Forward grant awards support the following projects:
Agriculture:
The DeLong Co., Rock County | $384,589 The DeLong Co. Inc., will train 239 current workers on operations, safety and compliance, finance, and applied technology tools to improve efficiency and accuracy. Trainees could receive an hourly pay increase of at least 68 cents per hour.
Construction:
Ama Inc., Brown County | $5,389
Ama Inc. and Symetri will train three current workers in Autodesk Revit MEP, to support HVAC design and coordination to reduce outsourcing costs, improve employee retainment, and increase client requirement fulfillment. Trainees could receive an hourly wage increase of $5 or more.
Develop America Inc., Milwaukee County | $42,900
Develop America Inc. will partner with electrical contractors to train eight unemployed trainees and 10 current workers on electrical code fundamentals as well as wiring methods, blueprint reading, load calculations, safety compliance, and hazard recognition. Trained workers will be able to meet safety standards, support workforce readiness, and execute productive job-site performance, and could receive an increased hourly wage increase of at least $3 per hour.
Quasius Construction, Sheboygan County | $86,728
Quasius Construction will offer hands-on and hybrid delivery training to 31 current workers in partnership with technical colleges, the Wisconsin Carpenters Union, and other training providers. Trainees develop expertise in sanitary construction, regulatory compliance, and hygienic standards. Trainees could receive an hourly wage increase of at least 25 cents.
Health Care:
Beloit Health System Foundation, Rock County | $65,141
Beloit Health System Foundation Inc., Beloit Health System, and Blackhawk Technical College will partner with the Beloit EMT-to-Paramedic Advancement Project. Training will be offered to advance one unemployed trainee, one underemployed trainee, and three current workers from EMT's to full-time paramedics. Trainees could receive wage increase of $1.08 or more per hour.
Opportunity of North Central Wisconsin Inc., Marathon and Wood counties | $360,942
Opportunity of North Central Wisconsin Inc. will provide a credentialed training program to expand and strengthen the direct support professionals workforce. Training for 20 unemployed, five underemployed, and 125 current workers will include mental health first aid certification, resident rights, and challenging behaviors. Trainees could receive an hourly wage increase of at least $1.
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance of Wisconsin Inc., Milwaukee County | $287,690
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance of Wisconsin Inc. will provide a newly improved paramedic training program to train 40 current workers as paramedics. The program aims to fill current paramedic job vacancies and increase the workforce serving additional healthcare facilities and communities in Wisconsin. Trainees could receive an hourly wage increase of at least $5.80.
Manufacturing:
ATACO Steel Products Corp., Ozaukee County | $99,616
ATACO Steel Products Corp. will provide training to 28 current workers in precision metal fabrication and manufacturing operations to address a regional skilled worker shortage, develop skills, and improve operational performance. Trainees could receive a wage increase of 68 cents per hour.
Fincantieri Marine Group, Marinette County | $30,474
Fincantieri Marine Group will train 22 current workers in forklift, mobile crane, mobile elevating work platform, and overhead crane and hoist operation. Trainees will receive certification and could receive a wage increase of 2.5%.
Glenn Rieder LLC, Milwaukee County | $67,033
Glenn Rieder will partner with Manage Assist Inc. to provide training for 80 current workers. Training includes continuous process improvement, lean manufacturing, supervision, safety, and quality. Trainees could receive an increased wage of 44 cents or more per hour as well as promotion opportunities.
Jones Sign Co., Brown County | $89,274
Jones Sign Co. will partner with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to provide training for 69 current workers. Training goals include building leaders who support process improvement, creating an advanced safety culture that exceeds state and federal requirements, and upskilling employees. Trainees could receive a wage increase of at least 93 cents.
Linamar, Kenosha County | $388,337
Linamar and SFM Group LLC will train 110 current workers to improve skills in manufacturing, continuous improvement, and the quality competencies of regulated industries. The training is intended to improve retention, increase productivity, enhance compliance, and establish additional career pathways. Trainees could receive a wage increase of 45 cents or more hourly.
PendaForm, Columbia County | $71,377
PendaForm will provide on-the-job training to five current workers and two unemployed maintenance trainees to support workforce development and address local labor shortages. The program supports skill advancement, improves job performance, and facilitates career growth through a pay-for-skills model. Participants will be paired with experienced mentors and could receive an hourly wage increase of $3.25 or more per hour.
PS Seasoning & Spices, Dodge County | $40,000
PS Seasoning & Spices will partner with Massman Companies to train 10 current workers and six underemployed trainees to use a new high-speed bottling line, strengthening regional labor supply and advancement opportunities. Trainees could receive an hourly wage increase of at least $1.01.
Regal Ware Inc./West Bend Company, Washington County | $110,944
Regal Ware Inc., operating as West Bend Company will partner with Manage Assist Inc. to train 204 current workers in workplace safety, quality at the source, changeover practices, and Lean manufacturing. Trainees will gain transferable skills, opportunities for career advancement, and could receive an hourly wage increase of at least 44 cents.
TriEnda Holdings LLC, Columbia County | $71,377
TriEnda will provide on-the-job training to five current workers and two unemployed maintenance trainees to support workforce development and address local labor shortages. The program supports skill advancement, improves job performance, and facilitates career growth through a pay-for-skills model. Participants will be paired with experienced mentors and could receive an hourly wage increase of $3.25 or more per hour.
Transportation:
Wisconsin Automotive & Truck Education Association, Marathon County | $210,398
Wisconsin Automotive & Truck Education Association will partner with Napa AutoTech and regional employers to prepare entry level and current technicians for the transportation workforce. Partners will train 70 participants through classroom instruction and hands-on learning, expanding regional training capacity, strengthening workforce readiness, and supporting long-term industry sustainability. Trainees could receive an hourly wage increase of at least 45 cents.
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