Latino Academy to ask WEDC for $9.7 million

The Latino Academy for Workforce Development aims to expand its transportation training program with funding of $9.7 million in the form of a Workforce Innovation Grant, according to a report from The Capital Times. The funding, administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is available to organizations devising long-term solutions to pandemic-induced workforce challenges. With a working training program for semi-trailer drivers, the Latino Academy would like to expand its program and create two regional transportation training centers in Dane and Walworth counties. The centers would include classrooms, a truck repair facility, and practice space for drivers. The organization would also hire three full-time commercial driver’s license instructors, three part-time instructors, three resource navigators, a diesel technician, a business manager, and a director of transportation. The Latino Academy has partnered with the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association and nearly two dozen other organizations to apply for the funding.