The number of Wisconsinites employed as apprentices has grown considerably over the last decade and reached a record high in 2024, according to data from the state’s Department of Workforce Development. That year, 17,509 individuals participated in Wisconsin’s Registered Apprenticeship Program, which was more than 77% higher than in 2013 (Figure 1).
This is welcome news at a time when employers in the state continue to report struggles to find needed workers in many occupations. That is the case not only in the construction and manufacturing industries but also healthcare, education, agriculture, and more. In many cases, this problem is intensifying as baby boomers retire and fewer young people are available to replace them. It is critical, therefore, to ask whether our current landscape of registered apprenticeships and related programs such as the state’s Youth Apprenticeship and Certified Pre-Apprenticeship programs is reaching its full potential to train future workers.
The authors found the organization’s state-certified “pre-apprenticeship” programs could be expanded to better prepare people across the state to enter the state’s apprenticeship program. Pre-apprenticeship programs help people get their prerequisites.
“We found those programs only exist in a few places in Wisconsin, mainly in Milwaukee and Dane counties,” Peterangelo said. “(That’s) despite there being demand from throughout the state.”