December 19, 2024

By Lane Kimble

Major projects such as the I-41 Fox Valley expansion and the Blatnik Bridge replacement will require a strong workforce for many years to come.  Wisconsin just got a boost to support that.

The Federal Highway Administration awarded Wisconsin $300,000 to build out its Highway Construction Skills Training (HCST) program. WisDOT intends to use the money to expand HCST throughout the northern part of the state, forming a workgroup.

Group members will include the Bay Area Workforce Development Board, Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, Forward Service Corporation, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, Sokaogon Chippewa Community College, and Tribal Labor Advisory Committee, all focused on recruiting, training, and placing construction workers.

HCST (formerly called TrANS) is a free six-week program that teaches potential industry workers some of the entry level basics to land a job with a contractor. More than 800 graduates have been placed with employers, according to WisDOT.

Wisconsin was one of 16 state DOTs and colleges to receive a grant.  Its $300,000 was tied for the highest award.