Nine Gateway Technical College apprentice students were awarded $1,500 Ascendium Education Group Tools of the Trade scholarships to help them cover out-of-pocket expenses such as tuition, tools and clothing so that they are able to complete their training.
The Gateway apprentices are part of a statewide effort by Ascendium – formerly Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation – to award $298,500 in scholarships to 199 construction and industrial trade apprentices attending Wisconsin Technical College System colleges.
“Our scholarships help learners overcome financial barriers so they can focus on successfully completing their apprenticeship and advancing to an in-demand trade career,” said Ascendium Chairman, President and CEO Richard D. George. “We’re proud to help Wisconsin’s hardworking apprentices build brighter futures.”
Gateway apprentices awarded the scholarships are:
- Chris Anderson (Kenosha), electrician
- Curtis Anderson (Franksville), machinist/tool and die
- Ryan Bagg (Racine), electrician
- Alex Boswell (Caledonia), electrician
- Heather Faltinson (Lake Geneva), machinist/tool and die
- Thomas Karczewski (Trevor), electrician
- Joseph Ruhle (Kenosha), machinist/tool and die
- Thomas Schmitz (Kenosha), electrician
- Aaron Zabel (Racine), machinist/tool and die
Since the program was launched, 26 Gateway apprentices have received Tools of the Trade scholarships.
These scholarships have supported Wisconsin apprentices with financial need since 2013. Since the program’s inception, 95 percent of Tools of the Trade scholarship recipients have either completed or continued their apprenticeships the following semester. This year, Ascendium surpassed the $1 million mark in total Tools of the Trade scholarships awarded.
For more information on the Gateway apprentices, please contact Nicci Pagan at (262) 564-2954; questions on Ascendium should be directed to Amy Kerwin at (608) 733-2562.
