At Wausau Homes, supporting team members means more than just offering a job. We believe in helping people grow, whether that growth happens within our walls or leads them to the next chapter in their career. Trevor Schmidt’s story is a perfect example of what that kind of support can look like in action.

From Production Floor to Dream Career

Trevor joined Wausau Homes in May 2022 as a Production Associate and moved to our Field Set Crew in November 2023. While working on job sites and watching crane operators in action, Trevor realized it was something he wanted to do one day. That’s when the dream of becoming a crane operator started to take shape.

Supporting the Dream, Even When It’s Beyond Us

Although Wausau Homes doesn’t currently employ crane operators, that didn’t stop our team from stepping up to help Trevor pursue his goal. With support from our subcontractor partner, Dahl’s Crane Service in Athens, WI, we arranged for a crane to remain on-site after hours so Trevor could practice his skills to prepare for the crane operator exam.

After finishing his regular shifts, Trevor stayed late day after day, putting in extra time to develop the skills he needed.

Built to Support Growth

In June 2025, that hard work paid off: Trevor passed the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) exam and officially became a certified crane operator. He has since accepted a full-time position with Dahl’s Crane Service.

Reflecting on his journey, Trevor shared:

“Wausau Homes hired me even though I had no plans to stay, because I was planning on becoming a crane operator. But they went beyond my expectations to help me reach that goal—giving me flexibility in my schedule for school and allowing me to use the parking lot to practice with the crane. A big thank you to Jay Schuette for making my dream job come true.”

We couldn’t be prouder of Trevor’s dedication and hard work. His story reflects the kind of initiative and follow-through we value at Wausau Homes. He had a goal, took action, and our team supported him every step of the way.

That’s what we aim for at Wausau Homes: we’re committed to creating a workplace where people have the tools and support to move forward with confidence. Whether someone grows with us or moves on to a new opportunity, we’re proud to be part of the process. We’re here to help people build meaningful careers, lasting relationships, and lives they’re proud of – on and off the job site.

Congratulations, Trevor, and best of luck in your next chapter!

To learn more about working at Wausau Homes and to view open positions, click here.