Wisconsin Awards Nearly $900K in Fast Forward Training Grants to Drive Workforce Development

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), under the leadership of Governor Tony Evers and Secretary Amy Pechacek, has announced the awarding of approximately $900,000 in Fast Forward training grants on July 14, 2026. These grants target workforce training initiatives designed to enhance skill sets in critical sectors such as healthcare, customer service, technology, and manufacturing. In total, nine organizations will benefit from this funding, which aims to train more than 340 workers throughout the state amid ongoing workforce shortages in these vital industries.

Governor Evers emphasized the importance of preparing Wisconsin’s workforce for future job creation, stating, "Making sure Wisconsin is prepared to create jobs for the future must be a top priority... we're working to ensure we can fill in-demand jobs while giving folks the opportunity to increase their earnings and build on their skills." This proactive approach demonstrates the state's commitment to leveraging funding for training programs that not only meet immediate labor demands but also bolster the overall economy by enhancing workforce capabilities.

Grants awarded include significant amounts such as $84,200 to the City of Milwaukee Department of Emergency Communications for emergency medical dispatch training, $193,635 to Life Point Counseling LLC for healthcare clinical roles, and $281,534 to Gehl Food LLC for skills development in manufacturing. These key allocations reflect a strategic thrust to address skills gaps in various critical labor sectors.

The Fast Forward program, which started in 2013, has awarded over $58 million to support more than 31,000 workers across 516 projects since its inception. Ultimately aimed at fostering a highly competent workforce, the program illustrates the significance of partnerships between state agencies and local organizations as they tackle workforce development head-on. The recent announcements also come on the heels of an additional $500,000 secured by the governor for the Fast Forward program specifically tailored for the healthcare sector. This highlights an acute awareness and responsiveness to challenges presented by labor shortages, particularly in healthcare.

The DWD’s Office of Skills Development, which administers the program, has reported that they awarded more than $5.2 million in Fast Forward grants in the state fiscal year 2026, signifying a robust ongoing investment in workforce training. The grants aim to reimburse costs associated with customized training programs intended for unemployed, underemployed, and current workers, allowing them to upskill or qualify for higher-paying, full-time positions. The opportunity for organizations to partner with the state, align training programs with its priorities, and ultimately enhance the workforce capabilities in Wisconsin cannot be overstated.

Looking ahead, procurement professionals should take note of this considerable investment into workforce training and skills development. Industries closely aligned with the sectors supported by these grants will likely see an influx of competitive contracting opportunities to provide training services. This aligns with state priorities around workforce enhancement initiatives that foster growth and adaptation to evolving job demands.