Department of Workforce Development

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Tuesday, March 23, 1999 Governor Tommy G. Thompson Secretary Linda Stewart

News Media Contact DWD News Office 608/267-4400 e-mail: news@dwd.state.wi.us fax: 608/266-1784

YOUTH APPRENTICES SHOWCASE SKILLS
AT STATE CAPITOL

MADISON - Youth apprentices throughout the state will be at the Capitol Rotunda today to demonstrate their skills and educate state legislators about the state’s ground-breaking youth apprenticeship program.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is sponsoring a "Day in the Life of Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship Program" from 8:30 am to 10:30 am in the Capitol Rotunda.  Governor Tommy Thompson will be on-hand to proclaim March 24 as Youth Apprenticeship Day.

"This is an opportunity for us to promote the youth apprenticeship program and showcase our ongoing efforts to build and maintain a skilled workforce," said Governor Tommy G. Thompson.

Youth apprenticeship is Wisconsin’s youth work experience program. It is a two-year elective program for high-school students combining academic and technical classroom instruction with on-the-job training.

"The youth apprenticeship program was designed to connect students to the workforce and to educate them about different career opportunities," said DWD Secretary Linda Stewart.

"We have invited students, parents, employers, and teachers to explain the projects they are involved in and to share what they have gained from their participation in the program," said Stewart.  "Legislators and the public will be able to see first–hand the success of this program and the skills that the students gain as youth apprentices."

The program allows high school juniors and seniors to combine traditional school-based learning with mentored learning at local businesses and industries.  Students attend classes during the morning then apply their chosen craft in a place of business in the afternoon.  Students are paid at least minimum wage, receive a regular high school diploma, and earn a certificate of mastery in the particular skill area.

Governor Thompson created the Wisconsin’s youth apprenticeship program in 1992, modeled after the German apprenticeship programs. In 1992, 21 students worked as youth apprentices in the printing industry.  Today 1,314 students are learning as youth apprentices in 18 key industry areas in fields such as auto technology, printing, architectural drafting, mechanical design and toursim.  Over 900 state businesses provide training to youth apprentices in 365 school districts.  The Governor’s budget proposes expanding the program to 5,000 youth apprentices.

"The youth apprenticeship program is one of our statewide workforce development services that benefits both employers and students," said Governor Thompson.  "Not only are we developing effective partnerships with Wisconsin businesses helping them build a skilled workforce, but we are also helping students identify career paths."

The youth apprentices represented in the Capitol Rotunda will include the areas: health service, financial service, tourism, auto technology, biotechnology, manufacturing/production, graphic arts/printing, and manufacturing/plastics.

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