Lakeshore College awarded two Workforce Advancement Training Grants to support regional employers

Lakeshore College has been awarded two Workforce Advancement Training (WAT) grants through the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), securing more than $211,000 in state funding to provide customized workforce training for regional manufacturers Burger Boat Company and Nemak.

WAT grant proposals, which are developed collaboratively between Lakeshore College and employer partners, help businesses offset the cost of employee training. Eligible employers can receive between $2,500 and $200,000 from the WTCS to support training delivered between July 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027.

This marks the first time Lakeshore College has secured two WAT grants in a single grant cycle.

“These grants are a tremendous opportunity to strengthen our partnerships with local employers while helping them invest in the continued growth of their workforce,” said Lucas Dulmes, associate dean of Workforce Development at Lakeshore College. “By working closely with businesses to identify their training needs, we’re able to connect employees with high-quality instruction that supports both individual career growth and the long-term success of their organizations.”

Burger Boat Company, based in Manitowoc, was awarded $101,800 to provide 1,248 hours of training for 314 employees, including welding instruction and general education coursework designed to strengthen employee skills.

Sheboygan-headquartered Nemak received $110,111 to deliver 956 hours of training for 242 participants, with a primary focus on leadership development through Lean Six Sigma training.

The WAT grant process begins when employers contact Lakeshore College to explore funding opportunities. Following an initial consultation, College staff work with businesses to assess workforce development needs and prepare competitive grant applications. Lakeshore College began collaborating with Burger Boat and Nemak in October 2025 to identify training priorities and develop proposals that aligned with each company’s strategic goals.

Each Wisconsin technical college may receive funding for up to six WAT grants during a grant cycle.

For employers, WAT grants reduce the cost of workforce training while expanding opportunities to provide education to more employees. The funding also allows businesses to bundle multiple training initiatives into a single project, maximizing the impact of their workforce development investments. Training can be delivered either at Lakeshore College or onsite at an employer’s facility.

For Lakeshore College, the grants create additional opportunities to strengthen relationships with regional industries while expanding access to workforce education. In addition to supporting customized training, many WAT-funded programs can provide employees with college credit, introducing participants to educational pathways they may choose to continue in the future.

Lakeshore College has partnered with employers through previous WAT grants, including Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry (awarded in 2021-22), Jagemann Stamping Co. (awarded in 2022-23), and Vollrath Company (awarded in 2024-25).

Employers interested in learning more about Workforce Advancement Training grants or customized training opportunities are encouraged to contact Lakeshore College’s Workforce Solutions team at workforce.solutions@lakeshore.edu.