MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers joined Latino construction workers in Milwaukee on Cinco de Mayo to celebrate graduates of a specialized English as a Second Language program designed for the construction industry.
The graduation ceremony took place Tuesday at the Arco Villa venue near South 8th Street and Greenfield Avenue, where workers completing the construction-focused ESL program received certificates after months of evening classes tailored to the building trades.
The initiative was created by the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement-Milwaukee Area Chapter and supported by several AFL-CIO-affiliated construction unions. Organizers said the program was developed in response to increased construction activity in the region and a growing immigrant workforce seeking better communication skills on jobsites.
Gov. Evers used the event to highlight recent legislation expanding opportunities for immigrant workers in Wisconsin, including a law allowing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients to pursue occupational licensing credits in skilled trades such as plumbing.
“That’s where one-of-a-kind programs like this help individuals build those skills to use together with their technical expertise to be excellent in the workforce,” the governor said.
Organizers said the ESL construction program focuses on practical, industry-specific communication skills that help workers navigate jobsites, understand safety procedures and advocate for themselves in the workplace.
During the spring session, two Milwaukee Public Schools teachers instructed approximately a dozen workers from different construction trades. Many participants attended the evening courses after completing full workdays on construction sites across the Milwaukee area.
Industry leaders have increasingly emphasized workforce development initiatives aimed at improving labor retention and expanding access to skilled trades careers. Programs that combine technical training with language education have become more common in regions experiencing rapid construction growth and labor shortages.
José Ramírez, business representative for Laborers Local 113, addressed graduates during the ceremony while the governor stood on stage alongside program participants and union representatives.
Evers noted that more work remains to improve opportunities for immigrant workers throughout Wisconsin’s construction industry, particularly in creating pathways for professional advancement and stronger workplace communication.
The graduation event also doubled as a Cinco de Mayo celebration, commemorating the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
Following dinner and the presentation of certifications, attendees participated in a raffle featuring prizes donated by unions and employers connected to the program. Gifts included game tickets, impact drivers, bottles of liquor and other items.
.jpg)
The first raffle winner received a charcoal starter after the governor selected the opening ticket.
Construction unions and contractors across Wisconsin continue investing in workforce development partnerships as demand for skilled labor remains strong. Programs like Milwaukee’s ESL construction initiative are increasingly viewed as tools for expanding workforce participation while supporting communication and safety standards across jobsites.
The ceremony underscored the growing role of multicultural workforce programs in the construction sector, particularly in cities experiencing continued infrastructure and commercial development activity.
Originally reported by Ethan Duran in The Daily Reporter.
