Board Awarded $970,000 Congressional Grant to Expand Apprenticeship Navigation and Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Madison, WI — February 20, 2026 — The Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin (WDBSCW) has been awarded $970,000 in Congressional Direct Spending funding through Senator Tammy Baldwin’s office and the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor, Health & Human Services, Education & Related Agencies to expand and strengthen apprenticeship access and support across the region.

The two-year initiative, Enhancing Apprenticeship Navigation & Support Systems, aims to create clearer, more connected pathways into apprenticeship opportunities by investing in apprenticeship navigators, certified pre-apprenticeship training, and wraparound apprentice support services. The project will serve individuals across the WDBSCW’s six-county area, including high school youth, underserved and underrepresented populations, adults, dislocated workers, and incumbent workers.

“This investment strengthens our workforce system from both sides,” said Seth Lentz, Executive Director of the WDBSCW.

“Employers gain access to a skilled, job‑ready talent pipeline aligned with industry needs, while job seekers receive clear pathways, hands-on training, and the support they need to succeed. By connecting people to opportunity and businesses to talent, we’re building a stronger regional economy. We appreciate Senator Baldwin’s leadership and continued support in securing critical workforce investments for Wisconsin,” added Lentz.

A key feature of the project is the continued and expanded use of Apprenticeship Navigators, who will guide participants from Youth Apprenticeship to Certified Pre-Apprenticeship or Registered Apprenticeships, providing personalized career navigation, mentorship, and resource coordination. Recognizing that success requires more than training alone, the WDBSCW will also offer comprehensive apprentice support, including transportation assistance, childcare support, work attire, and other critical resources to improve retention and completion rates.

Moreover, the investment will help local employers strengthen their workforce and regional competitiveness by expanding the use of apprenticeship as a scalable talent solution. The initiative aligns training with real‑world job requirements and supports apprentices through program completion. As a result, employees enter the workforce with relevant skills, higher productivity, and a clear understanding of workplace expectations. This leads to smoother transitions into employment and stronger early performance for employers.

The project brings together a broad coalition of partners, including more than 25 school districts, Madison College, Operation Fresh Start, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s State Apprenticeship Agency, and regional employers and industry sector groups.

Participants may earn industry-recognized credentials, dual-credit coursework, Certified Pre-Apprenticeship certificates, and Registered Apprenticeship credentials, strengthening career pathways and meeting regional workforce demands.

For more information, visit www.wdbscw.org.

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Media Contact: 

Becky Kikkert

WDBSCW Development Director

(608) 249-9001 | bkikkert@wdbscw.org