Outdated or Unsupported Browser Detected
DWD's website uses the latest technology. This makes our site faster and easier to use across all devices. Unfortunatley, your browser is out of date and is not supported. An update is not required, but it is strongly recommended to improve your browsing experience. To update Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge visit their website.

Tony Evers, Governor
Caleb Frostman, Secretary

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 6, 2020
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/news/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforce
On Twitter: @WIWorkforce

DWD Awarded $9 Million to Expand Wisconsin Apprenticeship

MADISON: The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) was awarded $9 million in grant funds to support the continued expansion of Wisconsin Apprenticeship. The Department of Labor (DOL) awarded grants to 42 states and U.S. territories to support apprenticeship. Wisconsin is one of only 12 states to receive additional grant funding to support apprenticeship efforts that go above-and-beyond the basic structure. Grant funds for these additional grants ranged from $3 million to $9 million.

"Wisconsin Apprenticeship is a time-tested workforce solution that benefits both employers and apprentices," DWD Secretary Caleb Frostman said. "Wisconsin Apprenticeship offers Youth, Pre-Apprenticeship, and Registered Apprenticeship programs that work together as pathways to careers with family sustaining wages. This grant will help better align these programs and expand these opportunities to more employers and job seekers."

DWD's grant award is part of DOL's State Apprenticeship Expansion Grants, “Building State Capacity to Expand Apprenticeship through Innovations." The grant will allow Wisconsin Apprenticeship to build on its existing success in the state and increase expansion. The grant funds will allow Wisconsin Apprenticeship to:

Connect underrepresented populations to Wisconsin Apprenticeship.
Establish an employer incentive plan to expand or grow Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs.
Partner with the Wisconsin Technical College System to increase credentials, certificates, degree attainment, and career pathways for apprenticeship related instruction.
Support Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program development, expand existing YA programs, and increase the connection between Youth and Registered Apprenticeship.
Develop a statewide outreach campaign to attract new employers and career seekers.
Launch RA programs in new industries and non-traditional occupations within existing sectors.
Undertake new efforts to increase the quality of RA programs to improve apprentice completion rates.
Create outreach positions to promote apprenticeship and develop stronger alignment within partner systems including education, workforce, and economic development.

"Changing the landscape of Wisconsin Apprenticeship through innovation is my number one focus," DWD's Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards State Director Joshua Johnson said. "By 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. These grant funds will allow us flexibility to continue this innovation and expansion so we can gain strong returns for Wisconsin's economy and its residents."

To learn more about Wisconsin Apprenticeship visit WisconsinApprenticeship.org.