Center of Excellence

In 2005, founding director Eric Parker’s vision of a Center of Excellence became reality and in 2006, WRTP purchased the old Drott Tractor building at 3841 W. Wisconsin Ave.

A Clearinghouse

The purchase of the 30,000 square foot building created a central clearinghouse for the assessment, preparation, and placement of job-ready candidates for careers in construction, manufacturing, and related fields.

The Center’s facility on Wisconsin Avenue includes classrooms, an Accuplacer testing center, tutoring services, and large grounds to facilitate learning experiences.

In addition, the Center will continue to upgrade the building through funding from the Capital Campaign.

Employer & Union Resource

The Center of Excellence has become a critical resource for contractors and manufacturers to recruit from a diverse pool of qualified candidates, and played a key role in the achievement of equal employment opportunity objectives for federally funded and monitored projects of the Wisconsin Department of Development and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

The Center offers a comprehensive menu of services to low-income, unemployed, and young community residents. Referrals come from a wide range of workforce development agencies, educational institutions, and community partners.

After their assessment, individuals are referred to the BIG STEP apprenticeship preparation program, an array of WRTP training certificate programs, immediate employment opportunities, or remedial services, such as remedial education or driver’s license recovery.