1. Wisconsin Apprenticeship: Developing our Future Workforce
Ray Allen
Secretary
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
NASWA
September 27, 2016
Oklahoma City, OK

2. Registered Apprenticeship (RA) in Wisconsin
Wisconsin established the first apprenticeship law in 1911
Model for the nation's apprenticeship law
State and National level
Wisconsin reimburses 25% of training costs up to $1,000 per apprentice
Known for structural integrity and broad industry engagement
Enables employers to custom build a skills training system
Professionals train apprentices on the job in a structured transfer of skills and knowledge
Under Governor Walker's vision and leadership, at DWD we are more focused than ever on ways we can develop the talent needed to keep Wisconsin employers competitive, not just in the US, but in the global economy.
We are taking a proactive approach to workforce training that centers on skills that employers need to fill openings. We could not do what we do, without the support of our partners in the public and private sector.
We know employers in Wisconsin have jobs available, but they don’t have enough qualified employees to fill those positions.
Today, Apprenticeship is regarded as a proven solution to the state's skills gap, and that is why the workforce readiness investments in the biennial state budget will continue to support for programs like apprenticeship.

3. Wisconsin Apprenticeship: A National Model
2015 Wisconsin Apprenticeship Summit:
Heard from a wide variety of expert thought leaders on current apprenticeship training research, historical lessons, and best practices for the expansion and improvement of the apprenticeship method of training.
Discussed and evaluated how the best practices and body of research can be applied to improve and modernize the Wisconsin model of apprenticeship training.
Prioritized improvement strategies that use apprenticeship to better address the aging skilled trades workforce, workforce shortages, and training gaps, especially in relation to better connecting youth, minorities and women to apprenticeable occupations.
Created Action Plans to:
Expand Outreach, Education and Advocacy
Align Workforce, Economic Development Systems, and Resources
Engage Employers and Sponsors
Improve the Career Pathway from K-12 to Apprenticeship
Recruit and Retain High-potential Applicants and Apprentices

4. Strengthening WI Apprenticeship
US DOL WAGE$ Grant
US Department of Labor (DOL) awarded $175 million to 46 applicants through its American Apprenticeship grant competition
Wisconsin was awarded $5 million to fund the Wisconsin Apprenticeship Growth and Enhancement Strategies (WAGE$) project
WAGE$ will train 1,000 new apprentices and up-skill 542 incumbent workers over 5 years
WAGE$ will register new apprenticeship programs in three sectors including:
1) Advance Manufacturing
2) HealthCare
3) Information Technology
Will also include an expansion of existing programs

5. Youth Apprenticeship (YA) in Wisconsin
Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program established in 1991
Part of a statewide School-to-Work initiative
Designed for high school Juniors and Seniors
Offers hands-on learning in an occupational area at a worksite along with classroom instruction
Provides opportunity to explore career options while earning a wage and gaining work experience
2016 Grant Award Summary
Grant Awards
Funding Awarded
Students Served
Cost Per Student 32
$3,210,057
3,637
$882.61

6. Program Structure YA State Coordinators Three staff at the state level
YA Regional Coordinators
WI currently has 32 YA Consortiums
Each consortium has a designated YA Regional Coordinator
YA Local Coordinator
Each participating district has a designated Local Coordinator
270 out of 424 school districts currently participate with 2142 employers
World Wide Signs, Bonduel, WI

7. 2016 Youth Apprenticeship Enrollment Data
Projected YA enrollment numbers: 3,637       
Highest Enrollment Ever
Nearly 20% Increase Over Last Year
More than double the year
114.7% increase
The Program has served 10,037 youth over the past four years. ( school year to school year)

8. Youth and Registered Apprenticeship: Comparison
Youth Apprentices:
Work for either one or two years
450 or 900 hours minimum
Related instruction each year determined locally
Broad overview of career
Supervised closely by mentor
Registered Apprentices:
Work for two to six years (average of four years)
4,000 to 10,000 hours
Related instruction each year paid for by employer
In-depth experience of all occupational skills
Learning to work independently

9. Youth Apprenticeship to Registered Apprenticeship "Bridge"
Bridging the Gap
Youth Apprenticeship to Registered Apprenticeship "Bridge"
Wisconsin has invested in the creation of a state sponsored Youth Apprenticeship (YA) to Registered Apprenticeship (RA) career pathway or "Bridges"
Provides seamless transition for high school students into registered apprenticeship and employment
The Wisconsin Apprenticeship Advisory Council established the Career Pathways Advisory (CPA) subcommittee to explore and define how the bridge will work, identify policies and create a mechanism for replication state wide

10. Youth Apprenticeship to Registered Apprenticeship "Bridge"
Bridging the Gap
Youth Apprenticeship to Registered Apprenticeship "Bridge"
Currently in three areas:
Machinist
Industrial Manufacturing Technician
Maintenance Technician
Expanding into new areas:
Construction
Health Care
Information Technology
Finance
Successful outcomes include:
YA work hours counted towards RA work hours
Courses taken as YA should be arranged to align with RA courses
Youth apprentices are aware of the RA program

11. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Questions?
Ray Allen
Secretary
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development