Apprenticeship program enrollment remains on the rise
Statement from Alderman DiAndre Jackson March 31, 2026
I want to thank Governor Evers for his continued dedication over the years to building apprenticeship pathways for residents all across the state. For four years in a row, Wisconsin has seen record-high enrollment in its Registered Apprenticeship program, with more than 18,000 apprentices enrolling in the program, and more than 3,000 employers participating. Bolstering workforce development in a variety of high-demand fields.
These numbers, combined with new apprenticeship pathways in healthcare and education, along with funding for workforce training in advanced manufacturing and AI, are reasons to celebrate. But we must continue to do more, particularly for young people in Milwaukee.
The state provides several avenues through which targeted state funds help high school students learn trades and gain paid job experience. These include Youth Apprenticeship Grants, Job Certification Incentive Grants, Employer Training Grants, and Regional Innovation Grants.
However, Wisconsin is still one of only five states that do not provide steady, dedicated state money for hands-on job and trade training classes in public high schools, making programs expensive and uneven across the state, with Milwaukee having the largest number of students who could benefit the most from such a change.
The city is actively lobbying for, and I am supportive of, changes to state law that would create reliable yearly funding for hands-on job training classes in public high schools, increase the amount and ease of youth apprenticeship grants for Milwaukee schools and local partners, and direct more grant money to Milwaukee projects, including extra support like transportation and mentoring for city youth.
Having sufficient, growing apprenticeship pathways is key to our current and future workforce.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Ald. DiAndre Jackson
Statement on appointment of Dr. Michael Rosen to the Wisconsin Technical College System Board of Directors
Oct 15th, 2025 by Ald. DiAndre JacksonAlderman DiAndre Jackson October 15, 2025
