Record Number of Mid-State Construction and Industrial Trade Apprentices Receive Tools of the Trade Scholarships
Monday, April 14th, 2025 -- 1:01 PM
A record 111 Mid-State Technical College construction and industrial trade apprentices received Tools of the Trade scholarships from Ascendium this year.
Each apprentice received $2,000 to use toward the purchase of equipment, tools, clothing, tuition and other needs to help them complete the required education and training for their trade. Apprenticeships pair on-the-job training with classroom instruction, allowing individuals to “earn while they learn.”
They offer an alternative pathway to a family-sustaining career in an in-demand field and a solution to employers who face shortages of skilled labor. Over the last 12 years, Ascendium has provided over $6 million in scholarships through its Tools of the Trade Scholarship Program.
Apprentices are eligible to apply for a scholarship if they are enrolled at a Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) college and receiving credit for both fall and spring semesters, are enrolled in an eligible construction or industrial trade and demonstrate a financial need.
In most cases, the employer pays the cost of education for the apprentice and pays for the time spent in classroom-related education, but other financial pressures can make it hard for many learners to complete apprenticeships, especially if they are juggling school, work and family.
Ascendium’s Tools of the Trade Scholarship Program aims to help apprentices overcome financial barriers so they can focus on continuing and completing their apprenticeship and secure a job in an in-demand field.
“As a former apprentice, I understand firsthand the challenges of balancing travel, coursework and long hours and how those demands can affect success,” said Mid-State’s Apprenticeship Advisor & Pathways Navigator Cole Schmidt.
“I have immense respect for the dedication Mid-State’s apprentices show in pursuing their careers and am grateful for our partnership with Ascendium in supporting, funding and advancing the future of the skilled trades."
Working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards, WTCS develops programs to meet employer needs and provides classroom instruction for apprenticeship programs in industrial, construction and other sectors.
Their recently released Apprenticeship Completion report details further insight into the power of apprenticeships to change lives by providing a pathway to upward mobility.
Based on a survey in fall 2023, individuals who received an apprenticeship completion certificate from a WTCS college in 2022–2023 reported earning an annual median salary of $96,733.
Additionally, 96 percent of apprentices reported that they were still working in the state after completing their program. Mid-State’s apprenticeship programs include Arborist, Carpenter, Construction Electrician (ABC), Construction Electrician (IBEW-NECA), Electrical & Instrumentation Technician, Ironworker, Machinist, Maintenance Technician, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Plumber, and Steamfitter and Steamfitter Service.
Some local Mid-State apprentices awarded a 2024–2025 Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship include:
- Sawyer Ambelang – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Marshfield
- Dylan Baird – Steamfitter – Arpin
- Dylan Bassuener – Construction Electrician (IBEW-NECA) – Wisconsin Rapids
- Dustin Bergman – Construction Electrician (IBEW-NECA) – Stanley
- Carson Bernarde – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Marshfield
- Tragen Bogdonovich – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Greenwood
- Matthew Bohman – Plumber – Auburndale
- Alexander Boyd – Construction Electrician (IBEW-NECA) – Wisconsin Rapids
- Piper Brey – Machinist – Wisconsin Rapids
- Derek Dehlinger – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Marshfield
- Caden Dennee – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Marshfield
- Jesse Dickmann – Carpenter – Stratford
- Alex Dittrich – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Medford
- Sevrin Frisch – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Marshfield
- Jerin Fuehrer – Steamfitter – Wisconsin Rapids
- Blake Furger – Steamfitter Service – Stratford
- Zach Geldernick – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Marshfield
- Trustin Goldberg – Plumber – Wisconsin Rapids
- Patrick Huebner – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic – Marshfield
- Talon Jacobson – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Pittsville
- Tucker Kraemer – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Medford
- Matthew Lucht – Maintenance Technician – Spencer
- Dryden Luther – Construction Electrician (IBEW-NECA) – Pittsville
- Toby Mirr – Maintenance Technician – Wisconsin Rapids
- Cameron Nyseth – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic – Marshfield
- Ethan Raatz –Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic – Wisconsin Rapids
- Mason Rachu – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Auburndale
- Kyle Reynolds – Construction Electrician (IBEW-NECA) – Wisconsin Rapids
- Gerald Rickaby – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic – Wisconsin Rapids
- Timothy Saavedra – Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic – Arpin
- Peyton Scheuer – Plumber – Marshfield
- Andrew Schutz – Construction Electrician (IBEW-NECA) – Wisconsin Rapids
- Jacob Timmerman Jr. – Steamfitter Service – Wisconsin Rapids
- Andrew Venzke – Construction Electrician (ABC) – Abbotsford
- Dylan Walkush – Machinist – Wisconsin Rapids
- Isaac Wogerman – Electrical & Instrumentation Technician – Wisconsin Rapids
For questions or to request additional information about apprenticeships offered at Mid-State Technical College, visit mstc.edu/apprenticeship or contact Cole Schmidt at 715-997-6731 or [email protected]. For more information on Ascendium, visit ascendiumeducation.org.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.