The skilled labor shortage in many trades within institutional and commercial facilities is becoming an increasing problem as baby boomers are retiring and taking their knowledge with them. But one businessman in Wisconsin has begun a program to attract more students to train in the the trades and find trades jobs after high school.
Dennis Frandsen, who owns several northwest Wisconsin businesses and one bank in the small town of Luck, Wis., promised students in the 2019 graduating class at Luck High School a full scholarship covering tuition and books for two years of a technical school after high school.
Brad Werner, Luck High School’s principal, says Frandsen has supported the school over the years and approached him before the start of the school year with the offer. Frandsen told Werner he wanted to start the program because several scholarships are available for four-year colleges but few are available for vocational schools. Frandsen wanted to help.
"It's an opportunity for everybody who graduates," Werner says, ading that Frandsen “said he's fine with it being one student or all students. If they all take advantage of it, that's fine, too."
This Quick Read was submitted by Greg Zimmerman, executive editor, Building Operating Management. Read his cover story profiling John Chadwick of Arlington (Va.) Public Schools.
