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Taking Big Steps in 2007

The Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership (WRTP) and BIG STEP, the workforce development arm of Building Advantage, have announced that BIG STEP exceeded a key employee placement goal for 2007.

As part of their 2007 annual report, which includes numbers on graduates, apprenticeship placements and diversity initiatives, BIG STEP exceeded its annual employee placement goal by placing 561 community residents into family-sustaining jobs with an average starting wage of $14.58 per hour last year.

“We are very pleased with our progress,” noted Earl Buford, executive director of BIG STEP. “Each year we gain much-needed experience, which allows us to give community members new options and careers that can support their families.”

Of those 561 placements, 54 percent were African-American, 33 percent were white and 10 percent were Latino. Women accounted for 10 percent of these placements.

In addition, 139 individuals passed construction apprenticeship exams. Of those, 134 were placed into first-year construction apprenticeships.

BIG STEP also works on the unindentured worker program with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 494, which allows interested individuals to test out a career as an electrician, and then test to see if they are qualified to move forward into an apprenticeship. Seventy-six individuals graduated from the unindentured worker program last year, and 50 graduates were placed into jobs.

“The unindentured worker program allows us to help underrepresented individuals in the community have an opportunity to succeed in the construction trades,” said Mike Mueller, business manager for IBEW Local 494. “In return, we are getting qualified, well-trained workers who will become the next generation of union electricians.”

BIG STEP continues to train and teach individuals in their new location at 3841 W. Wisconsin Avenue. For more information on classes and training, please contact Earl Buford at (414) 342-9787 or visit www.wrtp.org.

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