Madison, September 15, 2026 — Apprentices in electrical, plumbing, HVAC and heavy equipment operating have a new place to train in Madison. Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin Training and Trust (ABC-WI) celebrated the grand opening of the Center for Apprenticeship Excellence with a ribbon cutting today.
It’s another record-breaking year for construction apprenticeship enrollment. Nearly 2,800 apprentices are enrolled in the ABC-WI apprenticeship program. Of those, approximately 500 will train in the Center for Apprenticeship Excellence. The center was built in response to the growing demand for ABC-WI’s apprenticeship programs.
“We are thrilled to see growth in the construction industry. The success of ABC apprenticeship has always been driven by contractors who believe in giving people an opportunity to succeed based on their talent, their effort and the quality of their work. Today, that commitment has a new home,” said Kelly Tourdot, President of ABC-WI.
The new facility includes eight classrooms, three hands-on labs, and generous space for growth. All tools and lab supplies were donated by Milwaukee Tool. Apprentices will attend classes on site to master their trades. They also complete on-the-job training with their sponsoring employers.
“Some apprentices will become foremen and superintendents. Some will become project managers. Some may eventually own businesses of their own, and many of them will come back and teach or mentor the apprentices who follow them,” explained Patrick S. O’Neill, Director of Instruction and Training. “That is the kind of well-rounded professional we intend to develop at the Center for Apprenticeship Excellence.”
The Center for Apprenticeship Excellence was funded by the ABC-WI Apprenticeship Training and Trust. The board, consisting of industry professionals, planned and saved for several years for this facility. The facility was built by several ABC member companies after a competitive bidding process.
“It is especially meaningful that ABC-WI members helped build this Center. The contractors who depend on apprenticeship helped create the place where future generations will learn their trades,” said Roger Thimm, ABC-WI Board member.
The ABC-WI apprenticeship program is the largest apprenticeship program in the state, providing training in 12 distinct trades. Apprentices are assigned an apprenticeship manager to guide them through their program. Then they have classroom instruction in partnership with Wisconsin’s technical colleges and on-the-job training with ABC-WI’s members. The program can take between three and five years to complete, depending on the trade.
