Western to receive grant money for plumbing program - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - Western Technical College is receiving $11,800 for its plumbing training program.

The money comes from a Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development grant.

The program provides funds to apprenticeship training for "green" occupations and building alternative energy trade skills.

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Reggie Newson announced more than $150,000 in grants to fund programs for five technical colleges and three labor organizations.

"The funding is the latest example of our continuing efforts to align workforce training opportunities and bring about good jobs for Wisconsin residents," said Secretary Newson. "Under Governor Scott Walker, DWD is developing a number of mechanisms that will enable private-sector employers to access the training resources that they need to hire skilled and trained workers."

The grants were awarded as a part of a $6 million Sector Alliance for the Green Economy grant DWD previously received from the U.S. Department of Labor to support training programs in "green" energy occupations. With the funding, the technical colleges and on-the-job training providers can offer courses that supplement traditional apprenticeship instruction, providing more opportunities for training in cutting-edge technologies.