Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership Building Industry Group Skilled Trade Employment Program

Floor Speech

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Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the 50th anniversary of Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership, WRTP, Building Industry Group Skilled Trade Employment Program's, BIG STEP. I am delighted to celebrate this impactful organization's 50 years of service to the State of Wisconsin.

Founded in 1975, WRTP BIG STEP was determined to improve the labor force through its efforts in reshaping apprenticeships. The organization envisioned an environment that intertwined diversity, resilience, and creativity to produce an incredible generation of workers. Soon, their vision became a reality as WRTP BIG STEP developed pre-apprenticeship programs and advanced training courses that increased the number of minority workers, ensuring everyone has a pathway to a quality career in the trades.

Over the last 50 years, BIG STEP has been essential to creating Milwaukee landmarks, from our skyscrapers to our sports complexes. After helping tens of thousands of people take their first steps into the trades, BIG STEP has served Wisconsin's workforce by building courage, innovation, and equity.

Today, WRTP BIG STEP creates pre-apprenticeship programs and provides access to specialized training, consistent sponsorship, and support for its clients with targeted curricula for direct career pathways. In addition, WTRP BIG STEP helps industry employers and labor organizations create career pathways through intercultural workforce learning, the development of a skilled talent pipeline, and through working groups that identify and reduce barriers in real time. As just one example of their work, WRTP BIG STEP recently welcomed 180 high school students to their Milwaukee Summer Trades Academy, introducing them to careers in construction and teaching them about skilled trade jobs and apprenticeship pathways, so they could consider a future career in the skilled trades.

We in Wisconsin are so grateful to WRTP BIG STEP for helping to uplift our workforce and create the next generation of leaders. I am honored to recognize the 50th anniversary of WRTP BIG STEP and look forward to its continued success in Wisconsin for years to come.

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