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DWD Awards Nearly $1 Million in Equipment Grants to 18 School Districts

More than 4,000 students to benefit from training in industries where skilled workers are needed

MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has awarded $978,637 in Wisconsin Fast Forward grants to 18 school districts across the state that will serve an estimated 4,281 students. The Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Equipment grants will help schools prepare students for quality careers and address the state's skilled labor shortage.

Schools will use the funding to upgrade career and technical education training equipment and facilities. Projects include modernizing welding labs, acquiring dental and biomedical lab equipment, and launching an industrial robotics program.

"Each of these grants will help students develop valuable, hands-on 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 and strengthening our state's workforce now and into the future."

These grants also help families by reducing higher education costs through dual enrollment credits, industry-endorsed certificates, and technical endorsements on high school diplomas.

Birchwood School District, Washburn County | $99,740
Funds will be used to purchase a FANUC Certified Education Training (CERT) Program to provide students with hands-on training and skill development in programming, autonomous systems, and industrial robotics. This will help prepare students for careers in manufacturing, logistics, engineering, and any field that includes automated systems.

Burlington Area School District, Burlington County | $18,972
This grant will be used to purchase a Torchmate Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Plasma Machine and accessories, which will provide students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge technologies for metal fabrication.

Cadott Community School District, Chippewa County | $100,000
The district will use funds to purchase welding equipment to enhance the technical education infrastructure for their new facility.

Elcho School District, Langlade County | $18,887
Funds will be used to purchase a welding cart with accessories, a belt sander, tool chest, and a metal lathe. This equipment will create new avenues for students by giving them exposure to CNC Milling, opening potential partnerships and youth apprenticeship opportunities.

Eleva-Strum School District, Trempealeau County | $24,625
This grant will be used to purchase metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TING) welders, a plasma cutter, and a welding fabrication table which will provide hands-on training with industry-standard equipment, improve safety, and develop students' technical skills.

Ellsworth Community School District, Pierce County | $100,000
These funds will purchase advanced machine tools including Haas HKM-1 Knee Mills, Haas Minimill CNC Vertical Machining Centers, and a Haas TL-1 CNC Tool Room Lathe, which will expand student opportunities across various trade industries and empower students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world projects.

Gillett School District, Oconto County | $22,205
Funds will be used to purchase a brake press, combination belt and disc grinder, and solid metal fabrication, welding, and grinding tables, which will assist in enhancing its labs to match local manufacturing needs.

Hurley School District, Iron County | $11,850
This district will use funds to purchase a Finishing Solutions (GFS) Open Faced Spray Booth, new exhaust filters, and an Ingersol Rand Air Compressor, which will help prepare students for manufacturing careers.

Ithaca School District, Richland County | $5,154
This grant will be used to purchase a SawStop Cabinet Table Saw, SawStop Mobile Base, Spectrum 625 Plasma Cutter, and Millermatic 211 Welder, which will provide students with hands-on fabrication experience.

Luxemburg-Casco School District, Kewaunee County | $73,331
The district will use funds to purchase an Epilog Fusion Edge 24 60W Laser Engraver, Southbend Metal Lathe, and Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV) Drone Lab, which will expand career pathway experiences in its Fab Lab, Innovation Lab, and Metals Shop.

Mosinee School District, Marathon County | $54,000
Funds will be used to purchase a FANUC ARCMate 50iD/7L Robotic Welder and Arc Max Elite CNC Plasma System which will expand their program offerings in industrial robotics, automated welding fabrication, and precision metal cutting. These programs will help prepare students for careers in welding fabrication and automation technology and offer industry-relevant certifications and dual-credit opportunities.

Osseo-Fairchild School District, Trempealeau County | $17,101
This district will use funds to purchase a Haas TL1-1 CNC Toolroom Lathe, which will increase students’ access to additional training resources and better prepare them for post-secondary training.

Pewaukee School District, Waukesha County | $85,922
This grant will be used to purchase a Laguna SmartShop Fiber Laser CBX, Tormach 1100 MX CNC mill, and Laguna SmartShop II Pro CNC router, which will increase exposure and industry-relevant skills in manufacturing, construction, and robotics that align with local and regional workforce needs.

Portage Community School District, Columbia County | $100,000
This district will use grant funds to upgrade equipment to current industry standards in their Technical Education Department, which will prepare students for advanced manufacturing and construction careers.

Prairie du Chien Area School District, Crawford County | $100,000
This grant will be used to purchase B9Creations Educational Dental Lab equipment, which will increase students' exposure to engineering careers in dental, biomedical, automation, and advanced manufacturing.

School District of Monroe, Green County | $100,000
This district will use funds to purchase equipment for expanding hands-on training opportunities in manufacturing and construction fields.

School District of Oakfield, Fond du Lac County | $12,375
These funds will be used to purchase a MakerFab CNC Plasma Table, which will upgrade the metal manufacturing lab and support Computer Aided Design (CAD) curriculum for middle- and high-school students.

Sparta Area School District, Monroe County | $34,475
This district will use funds to purchase an APT Robot Weld Cell Certification Cart, which will provide students confidence to operate similar robots and help meet the workforce demands of local employers.

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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.