New Wisconsin Apprenticeship Bureau Director Seeks to Make Apprenticeship More Accessible to Career Seekers and Employers

Registered Apprenticeship represents a longstanding tradition in Wisconsin—and the state’s manufacturers are an integral part of that tradition. As of September 1, 2020, there were more than 2,000 active, registered apprentices in the state’s industrial sector, working for approximately 450 different industrial employers. Apprenticeship opportunities are available in more than 60 industrial occupations and specializations in the Wisconsin. The top 10 industrial occupations in Wisconsin are listed below in order of apprentice participation.

Industrial Electrician – 307 Maintenance Mechanic – 297 Tool and Die Maker – 269 Maintenance Technician - 265 Machinist – 203 Electrical and Instrumentation Technician - 184 Millwright – 131 Mechatronics Technician – 71 Pipe Trades Fabricator – 51 Industrial Manufacturing Technician – 43

Employers looking to become part of the Wisconsin apprenticeship system and begin training an apprentice should contact their local Apprenticeship Training Representative (ATR) and take steps toward building their shop’s own training program. Studies have shown that apprentices trained inhouse are more likely to continue working for the employer that trained them even after the program is complete. Furthermore, taking a driver’s seat in their own workforce training, makes an employer less dependent on outside recruitment and allows them to customize their program to fit their shop’s needs. Employers can also recruit qualified workers from the Certified Pre-apprenticeship programs in their area.

Jobseekers looking to begin a career in apprenticeship can apply for apprenticeship openings directly through local and state registered apprenticeship sponsors. A list of apprenticeship “featured sponsors” can be found on the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standard’s website at www.wisconsinapprenticeship.org. Current apprenticeship sponsors who wish to be added to the website can contact your local Apprenticeship Training Representative, found at: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/ contacts.htm.

The Bureau has endured a very challenging, but also very rewarding, time over the past 12 months. At the end of 2019, former Bureau Section Chief Joshua Johnson was named Bureau Director, replacing outgoing director Karen Morgan, who served in the position for over 20 years. Joshua Johnson began his career in apprenticeship more than 15 years ago as an apprentice himself with the Construction Craft Laborers committee and earned his Journeyworker Card in 2007, which stands as a testament to the doors that can be opened through apprenticeship training.

Joshua plans to change the landscape of Wisconsin Apprenticeship through innovation. In addition, creating visible access points and a value-added proposition to our employers, we will be able to make apprenticeship more accessible to career seekers and more employers.

When COVID-19 hit, Bureau staff had to adjust to working and operating remotely, which was a marked shift from the hands-on style of field staff and administrators. However, it was during this time that the Bureau applied for and was awarded a three-year, $9 million federal US Department of Labor grant to facilitate the expansion of apprenticeship in Wisconsin. The grant is the fourth, and largest, the Bureau has received from DOL over the past five years, and will be used to align apprenticeship instructional curriculum with local technical college certificates and degrees, grow new apprenticeship occupations and sectors, like healthcare and IT, and forge new inroads into registered apprenticeship through certified pre-apprenticeship programs, the state’s Youth Apprenticeship system, and workforce training programs. These grant funds will allow Wisconsin Apprenticeship flexibility to continue its innovation and expansion to gain strong returns for Wisconsin’s economy and its residents.” To accomplish grant objectives, the Bureau has hired several new staff, including three apprenticeship navigators who began last spring and are tasked with assisting potential apprenticeship applicants as they navigate the Wisconsin apprenticeship system.

For more information on Wisconsin Apprenticeship please visit our website, https:// dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/.