Blackhawk Technical College apprentices awarded $1,500 scholarships

Fifteen Blackhawk Technical College students working on apprenticeships have each received $1,500 in scholarship money from the Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation and Affiliates. The Tools of the Trade Apprenticeship Scholarship program helps apprentices with financial need complete their programs and advance to in-demand jobs.

The BTC students who earned scholarships include: Tyler Standish (Janesville), Brad Birkholz (Janesville), Joey Colburn (Janesville), Austin Foley (Beloit), Kevin Hanson (Janesville), Daniel Hoiberg (Janesville), Melissa Johnson (Edgerton), Louie Lunn (Janesville), Michael Morehart (Milton), Larry Olson (Janesville), Caleb O’Morrow (Fort Atkinson), Jordan Spradlin (Brodhead), Jacob Taylor (Edgerton), Riley Telfer (Whitwater), Benjamin Trappe (Orfordville).

Most apprenticeships combine up to five years of classroom instruction and on-the-job-training. With the Tools of the Trade scholarships, apprentices can purchase expensive tools, clothing and equipment vital to their trades.

“I’m pleased to see so many of our students apply for and receive a scholarship from Great Lakes,” said Dr. Tracy Pierner, Blackhawk President. “This support will help them afford the education they need to compete for high-paying jobs.”

Since the scholarship program was founded in 2013, 94% of recipients across the Wisconsin Technical College System have either completed or continued their apprenticeships the following semester. 

“We are optimistic that the program will be just as beneficial to the 200 technical college students who received scholarships this year as those in previous years,” said Richard D. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes. “We’re proud to help Wisconsin’s hardworking apprentices build brighter futures.”

Currently, BTC offers electrical, mechatronics, maintenance technician, industrial electrician and welding fabricator apprenticeships. For more information on BTC apprenticeships, call (608) 757-7628.