Northcentral Technical College will help train 175 workers at three central Wisconsin businesses through state grants totaling $514,548, the college announced Oct. 26.
The grants, offered through the Wisconsin Training for Resilient Advanced Industry Needs program, known as WisTRAIN, will cover 161 current employees and 14 new hires. The training is aimed at building skills in artificial intelligence and helping employees adapt to changes in the workplace.
Apogee Wausau Group Inc. was offered $320,040 to train 66 current employees and four new hires at its Wausau and Stratford facilities. Its training will cover AI basics, using data to spot equipment problems before a breakdown and studying production data to improve operations.
Enerquip Thermal Solutions LLC, in Taylor County, was offered $36,108 to train 50 current employees in AI, using resources that include NTC's Central Wisconsin AI Center and AI Academy. REI Engineering Inc., in Marathon County, was offered $158,400 to train 45 current employees and 10 new hires in AI tools including Microsoft Copilot and Claude, plus online teamwork, cybersecurity and data protection.
NTC President Jeannie Worden said working with employers connects education with the skills people need on the job and helps the college respond to workforce needs across central Wisconsin.
The three grants are part of a statewide announcement of $6.6 million in WisTRAIN grants for 84 employers to train 3,823 workers in advanced manufacturing and AI. WisTRAIN uses federal funding from the U.S. Department of Labor.
