Wisconsin spends $7.3 million on manufacturing, AI workforce training

Wisconsin governor Tony Evers announced in his February 17 State of the State speech that the state’s Department of Workforce Development(DWD) would spend $7.3 million in grants from the Department of Labor’s Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund to improve access to workforce training in advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence.

To spend the money, DWD will launch a grant program, Wisconsin Training for Resilient Advanced Industry Needs (WisTRAIN) to provide employers with money to develop occupational skills training. Grant applications for the program are expected to open in May 2026 for training in preventative maintenance, data analytics, cybersecurity and robotics.

Elsewhere in his speech, Gov. Evers noted the state’s existing Registered Apprenticeship Program set a new high for enrollment of 18,524 enrolled participants and 3,095 participating employers.

What people are saying

“A key part of our work to build a more sustainable future is building a 21st-century workforce to meet 21st-century needs,” Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in his speech. “If Wisconsin wants to continue to compete and be a leader in new and innovative industries, we must invest in workforce training to prepare our workforce for the future. It’s why my administration worked to secure over $7 million to launch new workforce training programs focused on developing our advanced manufacturing and AI workforce in Wisconsin.”

“We’re excited for the opportunity that this grant brings to Wisconsin employers, offering resources to train workers for the in-demand, high-technology jobs that are already reshaping how we work,” said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. “WisTRAIN grants will boost our state’s economic competitiveness and help ensure all Wisconsinites, including workers, employers, and job seekers, benefit from a dynamic, growing economy that increases efficiency with the adoption of new technology.”