Augusta School District Selected to Receive Fast Forward Grant

Thursday, September 4th, 2025 -- 9:01 AM

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has awarded $998,114 in Wisconsin Fast Forward grants to 19 school districts throughout the state.

The Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Equipment grants will benefit 4,223 students and help address the state's skilled workforce shortage by supporting schools as they prepare students for quality jobs.

School districts will use the funding to expand career pathway options by upgrading technical education training equipment and facilities. Projects include modernizing and constructing welding labs, acquiring bioengineering equipment, and launching robotics programs.

"Fast Forward grants prepare our future workforce for careers in high-demand, high-skill industries," said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. "The state-of-the-art equipment, including robotic welders, laser cutters, 3D printers, and other high-tech tools, will enable schools to provide coursework that aligns with industry standards and strengthen our state's workforce now and into the future."

These grants may also reduce higher education costs for families through dual enrollment credits, industry-endorsed certificates, and technical endorsements on high school diplomas.

The Wisconsin Fast Forward program was expanded in 2018 to invest in the workforce of the future by reimbursing school districts to enhance or improve a technical education facility or acquire equipment used for in-demand fields.

Since it expanded, the program has provided Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Equipment grants of more than $8.1 million to over 249 Wisconsin school districts to help students transition from high school into the workforce and potentially reduce their higher education costs through dual enrollment credits and technical endorsements on high school diplomas.

The current round of Wisconsin Fast Forward grants from DWD totals $998,114 and one local district receiving the grant is the Augusta School District in Eau Claire County.

They will receive $6,000. The grant will be used to purchase a robotic Neuromaker Hand 2.0 and BioSensor Pack to draw additional students into the technical education programs and expose students to biotechnology and engineering.

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