05/29/2026
Gov. Evers, DWD Announce New Job Training Grants for Advanced Manufacturing and AI
Grants to help train workers within in-demand, fast-growing industries will bolster Wisconsin’s 21st-century workforce and economy
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), announced that applications are now open for the Wisconsin Training for Resilient Advanced Industry Needs (WisTRAIN) employer grant program. As announced during Gov. Evers’ 2026 State of the State address, the new WisTRAIN program is supported by approximately $7 million in federal funding secured by the Evers Administration to help deliver employer-driven, occupational skills training focused on advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI).
“Here in Wisconsin, we’ve been working to build the 21st-century workforce our state needs to compete in a 21st-century economy, and our new WisTRAIN program is another big step in the right direction,” said Gov. Evers. “Making sure Wisconsin is prepared to create jobs for the future must be a top priority, and whether it’s data analytics, cybersecurity, or robotics, Wisconsin is well on its way to leading these rapidly evolving industries.”
During his 2026 State of the State address, Gov. Evers announced that the state had secured more than $7 million in federal funding to support workforce training programs focused on developing skills in advanced manufacturing and AI. Wisconsin is one of 14 states that received an industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to prepare workers for jobs in high-demand and emerging industries.
WisTRAIN builds on the success of Gov. Evers’ Workforce Solutions Initiative, which, to date, has collectively served 127,775 Wisconsinites across the state by supporting local and regional workforce training programs. The development of the WisTRAIN employer grant program also aligns with recommendations by the Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence, which was created by Gov. Evers in 2023 to study how AI will transform business, education, and other key sectors of the state economy.
“Artificial intelligence and advances in digital technology are already changing the way we work, and the WisTRAIN grant is a valuable opportunity to help employers and workers keep up with changing technology in the workplace,” said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. “Wisconsin led the nation with the Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence and successfully secured this competitive funding to focus on advancing skills and building opportunities for workers in the new 21st-century economy.”
WisTRAIN will fund worker training programs, including apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, that equip Wisconsin’s workforce with the skills necessary to meet rapidly evolving industry needs.
WisTRAIN is open to employers of any size operating in Wisconsin. Eligibility requirements include:
-- Operating a business in Wisconsin or being part of a consortium of Wisconsin employers;
-- Proposes training that supports occupations, technologies, or workforce needs related to advanced manufacturing, AI, or related emerging industries; and
-- Employing trainees in Wisconsin-based positions.
Eligible employers can apply for a WisTRAIN employer grant through the WisTRAIN online application system at: https://wi.accessgov.com/dwd-ext/Forms/Page/7207b3a0-f013-43df-ad31-3254108504bb/detw-20160-e/1. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on July 13, 2026, for consideration in the initial funding round. After July 13, 2026, if funds are available, applications may be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded.
More information on the WisTRAIN employer grant program can be found on DWD’s WisTRAIN webpage at: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/wistrain/
