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
July 26, 2024
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

DWD Awards Eight School Districts Equipment Grants

More than $206,000 in regional funding to benefit 2,000 students in Southeast Wisconsin

MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has awarded $206,130.68 in Regional Career and Education Equipment grants to eight school districts in Southeast Wisconsin. The funding will help schools prepare students for quality jobs and address the state's skilled workforce shortage.

Schools will use the funding to upgrade career and technical education training equipment and facilities, including modernizing a manufacturing lab, launching a meat science laboratory, and providing tools for advanced culinary training.

"Each of these grants will help students develop foundational skills and prepare them for the workforce," said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. "By providing training in industries where skilled workers are in short supply, school districts are connecting students with stable careers. At the same time, schools are helping to reduce higher education costs through dual enrollment credits, industry-endorsed certificates, and technical endorsements."

These grants were funded by a 2020 donation by the IKEA US Community Foundation. The donation aimed to address workforce needs and improve racial equality in employment in school districts located in Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, and Milwaukee counties.

School District of South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County | $29,789.20

The district will use grant funds for a new TRAK CNC knee mill, which will modernize the school district’s manufacturing lab and offer students experience working with cutting-edge manufacturing technology.

Wauwatosa School District, Milwaukee County | $29,995.51

This grant will be used by the district to purchase 18 new Dell Precision computer workstations with monitors and accessories. They will provide students the opportunity to learn building information modeling principles and Revit, both highly sought after skills in the construction industry.

Kenosha Unified School District Kenosha County | $30,000

The district will use funds to acquire two Snap-on electricity introduction, measurement, and circuits certification kits, and a Snap-on hand tool identification and safety certification kit. These kits will help students gain skills aimed at preparing them for an array of careers.

Milwaukee Public School District, Milwaukee County | $29,654.25

These funds will be used to purchase equipment to launch a meat science laboratory, including a two-door commercial freezer and refrigerator, commercial-grade Smokehouse digital smoker, a 40-pound meat mixer, motorized sausage stuffers, and a chamber vacuum sealer.

Williams Bay School District, Walworth County | $30,000

The district will use funds for Amatrol Industry 4.0 Learning Systems, which deliver classroom-based skill performance assessments. The assessment evaluates how well a learner performs a hands-on skill, which includes real-world industrial components, for the closest possible experience to working on the job.

Lake Geneva–Genoa City Union High School District, Walworth County | $5,329.75

The district will purchase and install wall ovens to help students gain career readiness in the culinary field.

Elkhorn Area School District, Walworth County | $24,541.97

The grant will be used for equipment to provide culinary students hands-on training and the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials from the National Restaurant Association. This includes four free-standing electric range self-cleaning convection ovens, six large countertop microwaves, and an upright freezer.

Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District, Milwaukee County | $26,820

The district will use grant funds for two computer numerical control (CNC) manual knee mills and a CNC manual mill and lathe mill to create new work-based training programs with local employers and increase industry-recognized credentials.

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.