Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Tools of the Trade Scholarships and Apprenticeship Programs

For individuals considering a career in the trades, apprenticeship, or journeyman training, scholarship opportunities can be a crucial step toward a successful future. Across the nation, various initiatives aim to support and empower aspiring tradespeople in their educational endeavors. This article explores the landscape of "Tools of the Trade" scholarships, apprenticeship programs, and related resources, providing a comprehensive guide for those seeking to advance their skills and careers in skilled trades.

The Growing Need for Skilled Trades

Wisconsin employers, like those in many other states, are facing challenges in finding, attracting, and retaining qualified employees, particularly in skilled labor occupations. These jobs often require specialized training, making it difficult to fill in-demand positions. Apprenticeships offer a solution by allowing employers to cultivate their own highly skilled workforce. According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (Wisconsin DWD-BAS), over 3,000 employers are currently involved in Wisconsin apprenticeship programs.

The Power of Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships provide a pathway to good, family-sustaining jobs. The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) works closely with the Wisconsin DWD-BAS to develop apprenticeship programs that meet employer needs. WTCS also provides classroom instruction for industrial, construction, and other sectors. A WTCS Apprenticeship Completion report highlights the transformative power of apprenticeships. Based on a fall 2023 survey, individuals who received an apprenticeship completion certificate from a WTCS college in 2022-2023 reported earning an annual median salary of $96,733. This significant earning potential drives growing interest in apprenticeships from both employers and individuals, as noted in the Wisconsin DWD-BAS 2024 Year in Review. In 2024, active registered apprenticeship contracts reached a record-breaking high of 17,542 apprentices, surpassing the 2023 high of 16,926.

Ascendium's Investment in Apprenticeships

Ascendium invests in efforts to increase effective postsecondary education and workforce training pathways that lead to good, family-sustaining jobs. Strong evidence suggests that apprenticeships in certain sectors and occupations can lead to upward mobility. Ascendium has supported WTCS apprentices for over 12 years through the Tools of the Trade Scholarship Program. This year, 801 construction and industrial trade apprentices received Tools of the Trade scholarships, totaling $1,602,000. Since its creation in 2013, the program has provided over $6 million in scholarships to over 4,300 apprentices statewide.

Keith Witham, President and Chief Executive Officer at Ascendium, notes that "For many learners from low-income backgrounds, finding a credential or training program that offers a clear return on their time and money is difficult". Ascendium Education Group is committed to making education and training beyond high school a reality for more people, helping learners from low-income backgrounds achieve upward mobility, providing student and employee success solutions to colleges and businesses, investing in education-focused innovations to improve learner outcomes, and providing information, tools, and counseling to help millions of borrowers successfully repay their federal student loans.

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Layla Merrifield, WTCS President, stated, "The Wisconsin Technical College System deeply appreciates Ascendium’s unwavering support for our apprenticeship students over the years. Time and again, apprenticeships have proven to be a reliable pathway to excellent jobs with family-sustaining wages."

What the Tools of the Trade Scholarship Provides

Through a competitive application and review process, students are awarded a set of trade-specific, professional-quality tools valued at approximately $500-$600. These tools are selected by industry professionals specifically for each trade and procured by the Shallow Ford Foundation. The sets include items such as cordless drills, HVAC manifold sets, torch kits, pipe wrenches, pliers, voltage testers, and necessities like headlamps, hammers, tape measures, and bags to store it all.

The program is the result of the vision of Jeff Vance, President and Owner of Gwyn Services. He recognized that many students entering the trade fields did not own commercial-grade tools, which are often required to secure a job. This frequently resulted in students either buying inexpensive tools which did not last, renting them at a higher cost, or taking out loans. While these trade professions are generally competitive in pay, a student new to the workforce can end up starting at a disadvantage. Jeff approached the Shallow Ford Foundation with his concept, and they began a partnership to bring the concept to life. A seed gift from Gwyn Services and additional generous donations allowed for the first Tools for the Trades awards to be made in April of 2024 after a competitive award process.

Expanding Opportunities

Community expansion plans for the program include:

A December 2025 award of three tool sets for Plumbing students at Forsyth Tech who are finishing their program mid-year.
Adding the carpentry students in the Spring 2025 awards at Forsyth Tech, expanding to a total of up to 12 tool sets awarded among the 4 fields.
Expansion to Surry Community College and Davidson-Davie Community College in spring of 2025, awarding up to 12 tool sets at each school (based on the programs offered).

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Besides the Tools of the Trade Scholarship Program, other scholarships are available for trade school students:

Read also: Student Resources

Bay Area Credit Union Scholarships: These scholarships support individuals entering a Trade School or pursuing training in a Skilled Trade program. Funds may be allocated towards the purchase of tuition, books, or tools. Applicants need to complete the scholarship questionnaire and must be postmarked no later than midnight, March 14, 2026. This scholarship is exclusively available for applicants pursuing non-traditional educational paths and is not applicable for those seeking two- or four-year college degrees. The funds raised for this scholarship are generated through an annual Skip a Pay program.
The Hourglass Foundation Scholarships: These scholarships are available to high school seniors, high school graduates, or individuals with a GED certificate who are continuing their education at either a trade school or community college program. The area of study must be in Automotive Repair or Automotive Technology, Engineering Tech, or Skilled Trade Programs (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Construction). Applicants are required to submit an essay (400-500 words) explaining how they would benefit from the scholarship and why it is important to them, including their area of study. An optional video (1-2 minutes) can also be included, where applicants can speak to why they have chosen their field of study, how and/or why they decided this is the career path they are pursuing, and what they would like to accomplish upon graduating from their program. Two separate $2,000 scholarships will be awarded for tools. The Closed Date is April 10, 2026.
Industry-Specific Scholarships: Many trade school grants and scholarships focus on a specific industry, while a few broad scholarships cover any type of trade education. Examples include:
- The Connex Foundation Scholarship (skilled trades, construction, and/or facility management)
- The DEWALT Trades Scholarship (students in a postsecondary school or training program)
- The WREA Lineman Scholarship (aspiring lineworkers attending an approved regional lineworker program and pursuing a career within one of Wyoming's electric cooperatives)
- The PENTA Cares Scholarship (students majoring in construction management, construction engineering, civil engineering, or a related field at the University of Nevada Las Vegas or an accredited university in Arizona or California)
- The Shell Associate Scholarship (students pursuing an associate degree in a specific technical and/or craft field of study at one of the institutions specified by Shell)
- The Houzz Skilled Trades Residential Construction Scholarship (students pursuing trade certification or A.S. degrees through vocational or community college programs)
- The Construct Your Future Scholarship (high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing an education in a heavy equipment-related field)
- The NASCLA Scholarship Program (students pursuing a career in the construction industry, must be 18 years of age or older)
- The A&J Duct Cleaning Scholarship (students who are at least 21, with a GPA of 3.0 or less, a 22 ACT/1100 SAT score or below (if applicable), some sort of difficult challenge in their life, and demonstrate financial need)
- The Metallica Scholars Initiative (students attending one of the 43 partner schools across 33 states, enrolled in a career or technical education program)
- The Kevin Phillips Scholarship (students pursuing a career in RV technician training)
- The FCEF Scholarship (students interested in the flooring installation trade)
- The WHVACR Scholarship (female students enrolled in a college or trade school program that prepares them to enter the HVACR industry, with a minimum GPA of 3.0)
- The Nuts and Bolts Foundation Scholarship (students enrolled in or entering a certificate or degree program that leads to a manufacturing career on a full-time basis, with a minimum GPA of 2.5 for trade/tech/community college and 3.0 for college/university)
- The Student Trainee Program (high school juniors, seniors, and full-time community college freshmen and sophomores, at least 16 with a minimum 2.8 GPA, offering on-the-job work experience in the Peoria, IL area, with limited opportunities throughout the United States)

Overcoming Financial Barriers

Many believe that scholarships are only for college students, but this is a myth. Thousands of scholarships can help pay for trade school programs, reducing or even eliminating out-of-pocket costs. Scholarships for vocational schools work just like those for colleges and universities. The money earned from scholarships can be used to pay for trade and technical school education.

To use a scholarship to help pay for a vo-tech or trade school, it is essential to be enrolled or registered in a qualifying program. Students should connect with the enrollment or financial aid specialist at their trade school to ensure that awarded funds are applied to their student account to cover school-related expenses.

Examples of Successful Applicants

Essays from successful scholarship applicants provide valuable insights into the selection criteria and the impact of these awards. Here are a few examples:

Culinary Arts: One student shared their lifelong passion for cooking and baking, stating that they are "kind of tired of all the academic stuff and I really want to make a career out of something I am passionate about." They expressed a desire to expand their knowledge of pastry making and culinary arts to open their own bakery.
Barbering: Another applicant described their experience shadowing licensed barbers and cutting hair under supervision, stating, "It felt so good to be trusted by my peers, and I’ll never forget how happy it made me to see how much they liked their hair." They aspire to provide free or discounted haircuts to children and people in need.
Cosmetology: A cosmetology student recounted overcoming adversity and instability to pursue their passion for the beauty industry. They emphasized the empowering nature of beauty and their desire to specialize in blonding and extensions, hoping to collaborate with top brands and teach at events across the globe.
Construction Trades: An applicant with a background in construction trades described helping neighbors and their father build garages and permanent structures. They expressed a desire to use their skills to construct their own home in the future.
Aircraft Technology: An aircraft technology student shared their experience of being hit by a car while riding their bike to school, which led to missing shifts at work, falling behind on assignments, and experiencing financial strain from lost wages and medical expenses. They said being awarded a scholarship would help relieve some of the pressure.

Wisconsin's Commitment to Apprenticeships

Wisconsin has a long tradition of apprenticeship training, passing the nation’s first apprenticeship law in 1911. This law regulated apprenticeship programs and established the state’s vocational school system. Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy. MATC offers more than 180 academic programs and provides innovative education in the region.

David Stuart, MATC’s director of apprenticeships and special projects, noted that "The Tools of the Trade scholarships have been particularly beneficial to those just starting their apprenticeship."

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