Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), kicked off Manufacturing Month by announcing $6.6 million in grants to 82 employers to train 3,823 Wisconsin workers through the Wisconsin Training for Resilient Advanced Industry Needs (WisTRAIN) employer grant program.
As announced during Gov. Evers’ 2026 State of the State address, the new WisTRAIN program is supported by federal funding secured by the Evers Administration to help deliver employer-driven, occupational skills training focused on advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI).
Projects will train workers for the future by addressing industry shifts resulting from technological advances, expanding access to industry-recognized credentials, supporting digital equity and literacy, and increasing employer-education partnerships.
These projects will also ensure that employers remain competitive as the economy and workplaces adapt to new technologies. More information on the WisTRAIN employer grant program can be found on DWD’s WisTRAIN webpage.
- Badger Truck Refrigeration Inc., Eau Claire County | $95,679
Training 32 incumbent workers in predictive maintenance, digital dashboards, AI-assisted quality control, and lean digital workflows
- Apogee Wausau Group Inc., Marathon County | $320,040
Training 66 current employees and four new hires in its Wausau and Stratford facilities to build AI literacy, predictive maintenance, and industrial analytics skills.
- Enerquip Thermal Solutions LLC, Taylor County | $36,108
Training 50 incumbent workers in an AI training program through Northcentral Technical College’s Central Wisconsin AI Center and AI Academy through SmarterX.
- REI Engineering Inc., Marathon County | $158,400
Training 45 incumbent and 10 new employees in AI tools including Microsoft Copilot and Claude, digital collaboration, cybersecurity, and data governance through a longstanding employer-education partnership with Northcentral Technical College.
- Rocket Industrial Inc., Marathon County | $21,420
Providing AI training for 95 incumbent and seven new employees in all 16 departments through a three-part AI center of excellence.
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