This year, 104 construction and industrial apprentices at Fox Valley Technical College received Tools of the Trade scholarships from Ascendium.

Each apprentice received $2,000 to use toward the purchase of equipment, tools, clothing, tuition and other supplies needed to help them complete the required education and training.

FVTC offers 21 different apprenticeship pathways. During the 2023-24 academic year, the college had 1,852 students, making FVTC number one in the WTCS for apprentice enrollments. Those students were sponsored by 559 different employers throughout Wisconsin.

Apprentices are eligible to apply for a scholarship if they are enrolled at a WTCS college and receive credit for both fall and spring semesters, are enrolled in an eligible construction or industrial trade, and demonstrate a financial need.

In most cases, an apprenticeship consists of the employer paying the cost of education for the apprentice and time spent in classroom-related education. However, financial pressure can make it hard for many learners to complete apprenticeships, especially if they are juggling school, work and family. 

Ascendium, a nonprofit organization committed to making education and training beyond high school obtainable, has provided more than $6 million in scholarships over the past 12 years through its Tools of the Trade Scholarship program.