More Than $25,000 in Scholarships Awarded to BTC Apprentices

Seventeen apprentice students from Blackhawk Technical College have been awarded Tools of the Trade Scholarships from Ascendium Education Group. For the eighth straight year, Ascendium Education Group has recognized the important role of apprenticeships in preparing students for in-demand jobs by providing these scholarships. This year, Ascendium awarded a total of $375,000 in scholarships to 250 construction and industrial trade apprentices from 15 Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) institutions.

The BTC apprentices awarded the scholarship include:

• Darci, Athow – Janesville, WI
• Justin Bartle – Edgerton, WI
• Bob Burke – Janesville, WI
• Jeremy Day – Beloit, WI
• Daniel Dean – Janesville, WI
• David Dubanowich – Janesville, WI
• Seth Glissendorf – Janesville, WI
• Denver Hanthorn – Janesville, WI
• Joshua Henry – Elkhorn, WI
• Melissa Dennis – Janesville, WI
• Noah Lorenz – Watertown, WI
• Edward Ray – Beloit, WI
• Bradly Schwartzlow – Brodhead, WI
• Kenneth Tinder – Janesville, WI
• Jonah Tropp – Beloit, WI
• Clayton Uselman – Johnson Creek, WI
• Mitchell Wellnitz - Janesville, WI

Each apprentice received a $1,500 scholarship to assist with the cost of equipment, tools, and clothing to keep them on the path to success. Financial pressure can make it hard for learners to complete apprenticeships, particularly if they are juggling school, work, and family while also completing their apprenticeship. These scholarships provide some financial relief to apprentices to aid in purchasing necessary supplies, which are often significant investments made at the start of their careers when apprentices may have the fewest resources available.

“Ascendium is proud to continue to support apprentices in the Wisconsin Technical College System,” said Amy Kerwin – Vice President of Education Philanthropy at Ascendium. “By helping these learners overcome financial barriers, they can focus on successfully completing their apprenticeship and securing in-demand jobs.”

To learn more about Ascendium’s philanthropy, please visit ascendiumphilanthropy.org.

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About Ascendium Education Group
Ascendium Education Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping people reach the education and career goals that matter to them. Ascendium invests in initiatives designed to increase the number of students from low-income backgrounds who complete postsecondary degrees, certificates, and workforce training programs, with an emphasis on first-generation students, incarcerated adults, rural community members, students of color, and veterans. Ascendium’s work identifies, validates, and expands best practices to promote large-scale change at the institutional, system, and state levels, with the intention of elevating opportunity for all.