Lakeshore College Wins $211,911 for Regional Workforce Training
Lakeshore College has secured $211,911 in state grants to provide customized employee training for Nemak in Sheboygan and Burger Boat Company in Manitowoc.
The two Workforce Advancement Training grants will support more than 2,200 hours of instruction for a combined 556 employees and participants. Training will include welding, general education, leadership development and Lean Six Sigma instruction.
This is the first time Lakeshore College has received two Workforce Advancement Training grants during a single grant cycle.
Workforce Training Grants Awarded
The Wisconsin Technical College System awarded the grants for training delivered between July 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027.
The awards include:
- Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc: $101,800 for 1,248 hours of training serving 314 employees
- Nemak, Sheboygan: $110,111 for 956 hours of training serving 242 participants
Burger Boat Company plans to use its funding for welding instruction and general education coursework intended to strengthen employee skills.
Nemak will focus primarily on leadership development through Lean Six Sigma training. Lean Six Sigma programs teach employees how to improve efficiency, reduce waste and solve operational problems.
Grants Help Employers Reduce Training Costs
Workforce Advancement Training grants help Wisconsin employers offset the cost of developing their existing workforce.
Eligible businesses may receive between $2,500 and $200,000 for approved training projects. Instruction can be delivered at Lakeshore College or at the employer’s workplace.
The grants also allow businesses to combine several training needs into one project, expanding the number of employees who can participate while reducing the company’s out-of-pocket costs.
“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.
Dulmes said the college works closely with employers to identify their needs and connect workers with instruction supporting both career advancement and the long-term success of their organizations.
Lakeshore Worked With Employers to Develop Proposals
The grant process begins when an employer contacts Lakeshore College to discuss workforce needs and potential funding opportunities.
College staff then assess the company’s training priorities and help prepare a competitive application for the Wisconsin Technical College System.
Lakeshore began working with Burger Boat Company and Nemak in October 2025. The college and the two manufacturers identified training needs and developed proposals aligned with each company’s workforce and business goals.
Each Wisconsin technical college may receive funding for as many as six Workforce Advancement Training projects during one grant cycle.
Training May Lead Employees Toward College Programs
The grants provide more than short-term job instruction.
Some Workforce Advancement Training programs can provide participants with college credit. Employees introduced to Lakeshore College through employer-sponsored instruction may later continue into certificate, diploma or degree programs.
For the college, the grants create opportunities to build stronger relationships with regional industries while making education available to people who might not otherwise enroll in a traditional college program.
The projects also help local employers develop workers for skilled positions that can be difficult to fill through outside recruitment alone.
Lakeshore Has Supported Other Regional Manufacturers
Lakeshore College has previously worked with several area employers through Workforce Advancement Training grants.
Past recipients include:
- Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry: 2021-22 grant cycle
- Jagemann Stamping Company: 2022-23 grant cycle
- Vollrath Company: 2024-25 grant cycle
Lakeshore College serves more than 9,000 students annually and operates its main campus in Cleveland, along with learning campuses in downtown Sheboygan and Manitowoc.
Approximately 800 students graduate from Lakeshore each year. The college reports that associate degree graduates earn a median salary of $61,355 within six months of graduation.
Employers Can Explore Training Grants
Regional employers interested in Workforce Advancement Training grants or other customized educational programs can contact the Lakeshore College Workforce Solutions team at workforce.solutions@lakeshore.edu.
What kinds of workforce training would most benefit Sheboygan and Manitowoc County employers? Share your thoughts in the comments, and send this story to a local business that may benefit from customized employee training.
