Building the future workforce, one tool belt at a time

Eighteen Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Carpentry students are starting the academic year with a new set of tools - thanks to support from the Brown County Home Builders Association (BCHBA) and its members.

BCHBA recently equipped the entire class with new tool belts and tools they'll use throughout their hands-on training.

The support grew out of an NWTC Carpentry advisory meeting, where instructor Steven Awe shared a challenge some students face before training even begins: the cost of purchasing the tools required for the program. BCHBA took that need back to its members, who stepped up to support the class.

"Having the right tools from day one means every student can start on equal footing and focus on learning their craft," Awe said. "This support helps set our students up for success in the program and, ultimately, in the construction industry."

Depending on the tools and brands purchased, students can spend hundreds of dollars building their own set.

"At the Brown County Home Builders Association, we recognize that the future of our industry depends on the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Supporting NWTC's Carpentry students isn't just about giving back - it's an investment in the workforce that will build our communities for decades to come. The demand for skilled labor in construction has never been greater, and programs like this one are essential to closing that gap. We're proud to stand behind these students as they begin their careers, and we're excited to see the impact they'll have on our industry," said Lori Frisbie, executive officer of Brown County Home Builders Association.

The donation was made possible through the support of BCHBA and its member businesses: Brown County Home Builders, Classic Renovations, Inc., Deterville Lumber & Supply, Inc., Drexel Building Supply, Hockberger Homes, LLC, Jim Reif Builders Inc., JKL Home Design, Lucid Integrated Systems, Vision Realty & Development, Wilber Trades Group LLC, and Wisconsin Building Supply.

"One of the most valuable parts of our advisory committees is having employers at the table with us," said Dr. Kristen Raney, NWTC president. "They bring what they're seeing and experiencing in the field directly to us, helping shape how we prepare students and investing alongside us in the region's future workforce. This is a great example of that partnership in action."

BCHBA representatives joined students, faculty and College leadership to personally hand out the tool belts and offer encouragement as students began the academic year.

For Awe, the moment also brought things full circle. Before becoming an NWTC instructor, he was a Carpentry student himself in the 1990s - and remembers purchasing his own tools for the program.

NWTC's two-semester Carpentry technical diploma prepares students for careers in residential and commercial construction, with a pathway into the Construction Management - Carpentry associate degree. According to NWTC's 2024-2025 Graduate Follow-Up Survey, 100% of responding graduates from both programs were employed and working in their field.

Learn more about NWTC's Carpentry program and Brown County Home Builders Association.