Wisconsin Sees Record High Number of Enrolled Apprentices in State Programs

Monday, November 20th, 2023 -- 12:00 PM

(Robert D'Andrea, Wisconsin Public Radio) Wisconsin has a record-high number of enrolled apprentices in a state program designed to be a pipeline for skilled workers in trades and emerging industries. 

According to Robert D' Andrea with Wisconsin Public Radio, Gov. Tony Evers announced Tuesday that 16,384 apprentices are currently enrolled in Wisconsin’s Registered Apprenticeship Program.

That surpasses last year’s participation, which was the highest since 2001. Wisconsin has had an apprenticeship program since 1911, and is the only state to require employers to pay their apprentices for both time worked and time spent in required classroom instruction.

Youth participation in apprenticeships, which began in 1991, also set records during the 2021-22 school year, with 8,357 participants and 5,719 employers. "For over a century, Wisconsin has been a national leader in apprenticeship, which will continue to play a critical role in addressing our state’s generational workforce challenges and building a 21st-century workforce for a 21st-century economy," Evers said in a statement.

"It’s exceedingly important that we invest in apprenticeships and getting folks the skills and training they need to participate in our workforce while continuing to be a model of innovation and flexibility to meet evolving workforce needs."

Evers announced the enrollment numbers at the Plumbers Union Local 75 training center in Madison as part of National Apprenticeship Week. The event was hosted by the industrial training program WRTP | BIG STEP of South Central Wisconsin.

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