Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 9, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

DWD Announces $227,520 in Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Equipment Grants to Serve More Than 1,030 Students

Training will boost workforce readiness and fill the need for skilled manufacturing workers

MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today announced awards of $227,520 in Technical Education Equipment Grants to seven school districts.

Grants funded through the Wisconsin Fast Forward Program will help school districts expand advanced manufacturing education programs. As a result, 1,033 students will connect to high-wage, high-demand, and high-skill careers.

“These technical education equipment grants are helping school districts provide state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment to prepare students for future careers with a sustainable wage," DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said. "The high-demand, high-skill advanced manufacturing industry will benefit from training provided as a result of this funding.”

High school students will train in advanced manufacturing fields to prepare for stable careers while they obtain dual enrollment credits, industry-endorsed certificates, and technical endorsements on high school diplomas. Advanced manufacturing uses innovative technology to improve products and processes.

Schools will use these technical education equipment grants to install new equipment such as computer numerical control (CNC) machines, robotic welders, fiber laser cutting machines, and more.

The seven $227,520 in Technical Education Equipment Grants awards include:

Peshtigo School District, Marinette County: $40,575 to purchase augmented reality headsets, 3D printers, laser/engravers and CNC machines. They'll help students dive into creative and innovative ways of learning.

Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union High School District, Walworth County: $47,877 for Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union High School, also known as Badger High School, to update its manual mills and lathes with modern, improved computer interfacing. Funds also will cover the purchase of a tabletop CNC waterjet, which will provide access to more diverse and comprehensive curriculum and training.

Williams Bay School District, Walworth County: $15,895 to buy Amatrol Industry 4.0 Learning Systems. They deliver classroom-based skill performance assessments evaluating how well a learner performs hands-on skills including real-world industrial components, for the closest possible on-the-job working experience.

St. Francis School District, Milwaukee County: $50,000 to purchase a Vertical Mill, Welder-255 Multimatic, Pedestal Drill Press and a Belt Sander. This equipment will be used for a new Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathway at St. Francis High School, which will provide opportunities to engage in hands-on projects with local Southwest Milwaukee Consortium business partners. Students also will be eligible to earn an industry recognized Precision Measurement Certificate.

Muskego-Norway School District, Waukesha County: $49,839 to purchase a Miller Multimatic 255, Spectrum 875 Welding Equipment, and Miller AUTO-LINE Plasma Cutter. The equipment will offer students real-world, hands-on technical training in smart manufacturing, machining and controls, and materials and composites.

Edgerton School District, Rock County: $10,000 to purchase a 4x4 CNC Plasma Table, which will teach students about manufacturing, metalwork, business, and CNC programming. The new table will provide students with hands-on experience in CNC machining and manufacturing.

Tomah School District, Monroe County: $13,334 to update its advanced manufacturing equipment. The district will buy a FANUC Fenceless ER-4iA R-30iB Mate Plus Controller CERT Cart to help students better understand precision fabrication.

Learn more about Wisconsin Fast Forward.

ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.