George Twigg says Madison isn't just a place for high-end businesses.

The spokesman for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz echoed his boss's enthusiasm over the city's Common Council meeting Tuesday, which saw the council pass six new city initiatives - one of which was financial support for the Building and Construction Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin's apprenticeship program.

"It's a goal of the mayor's to address all ends of the city's work force - not just focus on biotech or high-tech companies, but to get behind the city's blue-collar workers, too," Twigg said.

Centro Hispano was named as the fiscal agent for the program, which will receive $75,000 from the city this year. The program's goal is to recruit lower-income Madison residents and help them prepare to qualify for various building trade apprenticeship programs.

The teaming works nicely, as the Building Trades Council already is in a partnership with Centro Hispano for the program. Centro Hispano provides translation services for Spanish speakers interested in exploring a career in the trades. Outreach and training sessions have already taken place in the Allied Drive and Wexford Village neighborhoods.