Column by State Representative Loren Oldenburg (R-Viroqua)
The first National Youth Apprenticeship Week is this week. As a fourth generation farmer, I
understand the importance of agriculture and other skilled trade professions. My top priority
remains uplifting rural communities and small businesses, and I believe strengthening youth
apprenticeship is one of the best ways to achieve this. The Youth Apprenticeship program has
thrived in our state with over 600 students and 400 employers participating in areas throughout
the 96th Assembly District.
The Youth Apprenticeship program works by connecting high school juniors and seniors with a
career counselor in their school district. The counselor will help them prepare for an interview
with a number of employers. After students are hired they are paired with a mentor at the work
site, allowing them to earn money while gaining experience in their chosen field. While in school
they receive individualized related classroom instruction. Students who complete the program
are awarded a “workplace credential” in addition to their high school diploma.
These students are studying architecture, food and natural resources, health sciences, information technology, manufacturing, and transportation, among other subjects. These students are frequently offered jobs after school, over the summer, and after graduation. This ideal “win-win” situation allows businesses to tap into a talent pipeline, and many students choose to stay in Wisconsin to launch their careers while gaining valuable job experience.
Because of the program’s success, I authored several pieces of legislation and worked to expand
youth apprenticeship in recent sessions. The first step was to increase funding for this incredible
program in the last few state budgets. In addition, this year, I authored Assembly Bill 779 which
would have provided youth apprenticeship students with a tax break to help cover any work-
related expenses they may have, while increasing grants to schools for technical education
equipment.
These workforce investments are critical if we want to keep our talented employees working here
in our wonderful state. To learn more about our state’s youth apprenticeship programs, visit
https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/ya/ or contact your local school district or job center.
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