Lakeshore College Apprentices Receive $104,000 in Tools of the Trade Scholarships
Cleveland, Wisconsin April 23, 2026 — Fifty-two Lakeshore College construction and industrial trade apprentices received a combined $104,000 in Tools of the Trade Scholarships from Ascendium this year, giving each student $2,000 to help cover tools, clothing, equipment, tuition, and other training-related costs.
The scholarships are designed to support apprentices who are building careers in high-demand skilled trades while completing the required education and hands-on training for their fields.
“These scholarships help ease significant financial challenges for students who are developing their skills, caring for their families, and strengthening our state’s workforce,” Lakeshore College President Paul Carlsen said. “We appreciate Ascendium’s continued dedication to helping apprentices remain on course, finish their training, and move with confidence into in-demand careers that drive Wisconsin’s future.”
To qualify, apprentices must be enrolled in a construction or industrial trade apprenticeship program at one of the 16 Wisconsin Technical College System colleges, including Lakeshore College, for the fall and spring semesters. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need and complete an application.
Ascendium has now provided more than $8.8 million in scholarships to over 5,000 apprentices working to advance their careers.
2026 Tools of the Trade Scholarship Recipients
Brillion
- Joshua Keith Schelfhout
Cedar Grove
- Joshua Steven Mikolich
Chilton
- Nicholaus Theodore Adkins
Elkhart Lake
- Cole Thomas Fritsch
Glenbeulah
- Lucas David Hellmer
Kewaskum
- Lukas Alexander Johnson
Kiel
- Justin Robert Carrothers
- Kyle Luke Schneider
- Cordell Lee Wittgreve
Manitowoc
- Maxwell M. Ayotte
- Eric Steig Holdorf
- Donovan Taylor Krueger
- Joseph David Moore
- Rafael Ortega Jr.
- Jose L. Padron
- Nicholas Paul Proehl
- Zachery Aaron Sager
- Caden Conrad Sprang
- Neng Vang
- Joseph Yang
- Caleb Marcus Zinn
Newton
- Alex Donald Ninneman
Oostburg
- Alec James Malwitz
- Samuel Scott Willems
Plymouth
- Mason Gregory Arndt
- Kenneth J. Behr
- Joshua Ian Braddy
- Shane D. Dussault
- Timothy Clyde Gamerdinger
- Yayoashi Leigh Her
Reedsville
- Errol James Moleski
Sheboygan
- Forest Owen Adams
- Raul Alarcon
- Christopher Clark Barber
- Shean Cheng
- Toua Hang
- Mark Stewart Gruenke
- Brandon Richard Kartes
- Christopher James Kau
- Gerald Brian Lehman
- Jonathan Lor
- Adam James Siburt
- Timothy James Wolff
- Phia Xiong
- Daniel Yang
- John Wesley York
Sheboygan Falls
- Andrew Emmer
- Aidan Parker Miller
St. Cloud
- Zachary David Rondeau
Two Rivers
- Ronald Wilbert Grawien
- Dustin James Meyer
- Kaci Ellan Safer
Lakeshore College, formerly Lakeshore Technical College, serves more than 9,000 students annually through career-focused programs, transfer pathways, and learning locations in Cleveland, downtown Manitowoc, and Sheboygan. The college reports that about 800 students graduate each year, with associate degree graduates earning a median salary of $61,355 within six months of graduation.
Ascendium Education Group is a nonprofit organization focused on helping learners from low-income backgrounds access education and training after high school.
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