November 4, 2025

By Lane Kimble

More students and skilled adults are entering the trades thanks, in part, to record setting apprenticeship programs in Wisconsin.

The state Department of Workforce Development released its biennial report for 2023-25 this week.

The report shows youth apprenticeship programs set record levels for a fourth straight year during the 2024-25 school year.  There were 11,344 students enrolled in the program and 7,400 employers participating.  That nearly doubled pre-set program goals.

The Registered Apprenticeship program set a record for its third straight year, with 17,089 RAs working for 2,600 employers.

The DWD also launched several new programs in 2024, including project management.  There are nearly 200 apprenticeship occupations in the state’s overall program.