May 2, 2025

By Lane Kimble

Wisconsin’s youth apprenticeship program seems to live by the mantra “records are made to be broken.”

For the fourth year in a row, the state’s program surpassed the previous year’s high registration numbers.  Gov. Tony Evers and the Department of Workforce Development announced Wednesday there were 11,344 high school students enrolled in a youth apprenticeship program during the 2024-25 school year, which is a 14% increase over 2023-24.

More than 12% of those students are enrolled in a construction or architecture-related field.

“Wisconsin’s apprenticeship system has become more connected as employers and participants recognize the opportunities our programs offer together,” said DWD’s Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Director David Polk.

“Schools, employers, and local YA consortiums are preparing youth apprentices for the next step, whether that’s registered apprenticeship, higher education, or standard employment.”

Youth Apprenticeship in Wisconsin allows high school juniors and seniors to work paying jobs in an industry of choice while earning their degrees.  Nearly 7,500 employers across the state participate.