Friday, April 10, 2026
CVTC apprentices receive $2k scholarships
More than 40 apprentices have received scholarships to pay for the tools of their trade.
Forty-one apprentices at Chippewa Valley Technical College have received Tools of the Trade Scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year through a program funded by Ascendium Education Group.
The scholarships, awarded to construction and industrial trade apprentices across Wisconsin, provide $2,000 to help offset training costs, including tools, equipment, clothing, tuition and other essential expenses.
CVTC apprentice students receiving the scholarships are Rhett Buchholz, Nathan Gobler, Luke Hanson, Bradey Ramin-Pierce, Shane Scharmach Jr., Mary-Joan Smith, Matthew Rees, Derek Sterland, Alexandra Simeon, Houston Dorn, Jack Lambert, Kyle Weltzin, Paloma Lurdes Da Silva Acosta, Aidan Abrahamson, Drew Dehnke, Malaki Pethes, Allen-John Schemenauer, Trevor Nelson, Marcus Harelstad, Joseph Beaudette, Mitchell Fedie, John Lynch, Victor Mildebrandt, Kooper Singerhouse, Eric Kleinhans, Emily Schneider, Wyatt Messner, Elijah Clausen, Ethan Karlstad, Robert Trealoff, Isaiah Plath, Reid Sommerfeld, Mason Fedie, Eli Hruby, Ryder Sullivan, Joshua Miller, Joshua Klopatek, Lucas Rusak, Dalton Swett, Mason Bohn and Angel Rojas.
In total, 806 apprentices statewide received scholarships this year through the program, which is now in its 13th year. Apprentices enrolled in eligible programs through any of the 16 colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System may apply if they demonstrate financial need.
“These scholarships help remove financial barriers for apprentices who are working hard to build skills and careers in high-demand fields,” said CVTC President Sunem Beaton-Garcia. “Support like this can make a meaningful difference for students as they balance work, training and life responsibilities.”
The awards come at a time of continued growth for apprenticeship programs in Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development 2023-25 Biennial Report, apprenticeship enrollment in Wisconsin reached another record in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of historic participation.
“Apprenticeships continue to be a strong pathway to rewarding careers, and this support helps students stay focused on their training and long-term success,” Beaton-Garcia said.
Throughout Wisconsin, the Tools of the Trade Scholarship Program has awarded more than $8.8 million to more than 5,000 apprentices since it began.
