Employers in the trades, such as Manitowoc Tool and Machining and Tramontina, are having a hard time finding skilled workers to fill their shops. In an attempt to help fill those positions, 2nd District Representative Andre Jacque, who represents Two Rivers and northern Manitowoc County, is co-sponsoring legislation that will expand the Tools of the Trade apprenticeship grant program. The program will allot an additional $50,000 per academic year to the Wisconsin Technical College System Board to assist students that have undertaken apprenticeship training courses. The program was established in 2013, and, according to Jacque, has been very successful, with around 96% of student recipients completing their apprenticeship, or continuing their training the following semester. Last year the Tools of the Trade program deemed 225 of their 265 applicants eligible, and funded 200 students.