Apprenticeships for rural regions innovating vocational education (arrive)

This $2,202,231 Project Grant award, titled "APPRENTICESHIPS FOR RURAL REGIONS INNOVATING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION (ARRIVE)", was provided by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (CFDA 84.116) program. The grant was awarded to Western Technical College, a public two-year institution in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on October 1, 2024, with a period of performance through September 30, 2028.

The funding supports Western Technical College's efforts to develop and implement innovative vocational education and apprenticeship programs tailored to the needs of rural regions. The project aims to enhance access to career-focused education, improve student success, and address equity gaps in advanced manufacturing and healthcare sectors. Key activities include expanding industry-recognized credential programs, democratizing data to reduce equity gaps, and increasing student access to basic needs resources. As a sub-grantee, Western Technical College will also participate in various workforce development initiatives coordinated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board, the parent organization overseeing the state's 16 technical colleges.