MADISON, Wis. (Sept. 15, 2025) — The Latino Academy of Workforce Development has received a $300,000 gift from Ascendium in support of its programming, which annually helps more than 2,500 residents in Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, and Rock counties obtain education and career training aligned with regional workforce needs.
According to a June 2025 report from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, Wisconsin is experiencing a labor shortage partly because worker skills do not match available jobs. The Latino Academy is working to address this gap by providing culturally relevant workforce development programs to adult learners. While rooted in Latino culture, the programs are open to learners of all backgrounds.
The programs include English as a Second Language education, GED preparation, computer literacy, commercial driver’s license training, construction pre-apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship development. From enrollment to graduation, students receive comprehensive, hands-on mentoring and coaching. Upon graduation, they are ready to advance their career in a high-demand industry, such as trucking, construction, and skilled trades, all of which the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development projects will continue to grow in southern Wisconsin and across the state.
With Ascendium’s gift, Latino Academy will seek state certification for its construction pre-apprenticeship program, increasing its students’ access to registered apprenticeships. It will also upgrade its workforce training tools and expand its existing programs to accommodate up to 300 more students — students like Mayela, Oswaldo, and their son Jersson. Motivated by the dream of better opportunities, all three joined Latino Academy’s construction pre-apprenticeship program at the same time. They prepared for classes together and proudly graduated together. For Jersson, the program sparked a passion for building. He is continuing his training in pursuit of a long-term career in the construction industry.
“This investment from Ascendium allows the Latino Academy to continue bridging the gap between talent and opportunity — between communities eager to contribute and the industries that depend on them,” Nydia Martinez, Latino Academy’s executive director, said. “Our certified pre-apprenticeship construction program will strengthen Madison’s workforce by equipping Latino and other workers with the skills, credentials, and connections they need to thrive. Latino workers are already essential to the region’s growth in construction, hospitality, and beyond. This program ensures they not only fill jobs but also build careers and futures for themselves, their families, and our community.”
“With the ongoing labor and talent shortages in the Madison area, the need for the education and training the Latino Academy provides has never been greater,” Brett Lindquist, Ascendium’s Vice President of Communications and Community Engagement, said. “Ascendium’s gift to Latino Academy reflects our commitment to creating clear pathways for community members to secure well-paying jobs that allow them to support their families and build better futures.
About Latino Academy of Workforce Development: The Latino Academy of Workforce Development is a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin, dedicated to increasing access to education, training, and career pathways for Latino adults. We offer culturally and linguistically accessible programs that range from GED, English, and digital literacy classes to commercial driver’s license training and short-term certificates in fields like construction and food safety. Through strong community and employer partnerships, we help learners access stable careers and brighter futures — many moving from low-wage, multiple-job situations to one family-sustaining career with benefits. To learn more, visit latinoacademywi.org.
About Ascendium: Ascendium Education Group is committed to making education and training after high school a reality for learners from low-income backgrounds. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we fund initiatives across the U.S. that help learners from low-income backgrounds achieve upward mobility; provide student and employee success solutions to colleges and businesses; invest in education-focused innovations to improve learner outcomes; and provide information, tools, and counseling to help millions of borrowers successfully repay their federal student loans. While we have many roles, we have one goal — elevating opportunity by creating a world where everyone can rise to their highest potential. To learn more, visit ascendiumeducation.org.
