Tools of the Trade Scholarships Awarded to Blackhawk Tech Apprentices
Funds Help Finance Equipment, Tools and Clothing to Help Apprentices Succeed
May 8, 2019
Thirteen Blackhawk Technical College construction and industrial trades’ apprentices have each received $1,500 scholarships from Ascendium Education Group (formerly Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates). The Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship program helps apprentices with financial need complete their programs and advance to in-demand jobs.
Most apprenticeships combine up to five years of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Wages are often modest and financial aid options can be limited. Tools of the Trade scholarships help apprentices purchase expensive tools, clothing and equipment required to complete their training.
“I’m pleased to see so many of our students apply for and receive a scholarship from Ascendium,” said Jeremy Crabb, Electric Apprentice Instructor. “This support will help them stay on track to complete the training they need to compete for high-paying jobs.”
Since the scholarship program was founded in 2013, 95% of recipients across the Wisconsin Technical College System have either completed or continued their apprenticeships the following semester. In total, the program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships.
“This scholarship helps students overcome financial barriers so they can focus on successfully completing their apprenticeship and advancing to an in-demand trade career,” said Richard D. George, Chairman, President and CEO of Ascendium. “We’re proud to help Wisconsin’s hardworking apprentices build brighter futures.”
The following BTC apprentices were awarded a 2018-2019 Tools of the Trade Apprentice Scholarship:
- Randall Beagley, Electrician
- Bob Burke, Electrician
- Austin Clay, Electrician
- Joseph Colburn, Electrician
- Joshua Hanson, Industrial Electrician
- Mitchell Heidenreich, Electrician
- Ethan Johnson, Electrician
- John Laskowski, Electrician
- Alex Linstead, Electrician
- Cody Meier, Electrician
- Mitchell Perkins, Electrician
- Cody Schreiner, Electrician
- Justin Watson, Electrician
To learn more about the Apprenticeship opportunities at Blackhawk Technical College, visit https://www.blackhawk.edu/Professional-Training/Apprenticeships.
About Ascendium: Elevating opportunity through the power of higher education since 1967
Ascendium Education Group (formerly Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates) is the nation’s largest student loan guarantor as well as a leading post-secondary education and workforce training philanthropy and provider of student success services for colleges and universities. Founded in 1967, Ascendium provides information, tools and counseling to millions of borrowers nationwide, helping them avoid the consequences of default and keeping the door to re-enrollment open. Ascendium’s philanthropy program provides grant funding to educational institutions and researchers working to eliminate systemic obstacles to postsecondary success facing students from low-income households, a disproportionate number of whom are students of color and first-generation students. To learn more, visit www.ascendiumphilanthropy.org.