Walker announces additional grants for Youth Apprenticeship

MADISON (WITI) -- Governor Scott Walker announced Wednesday, January 15th that additional grant awards totaling over $226,700 to support Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program.

The program trains high school juniors and seniors for in-demand occupations with local employers around Wisconsin.

"Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship program is a key part of my administration's focus on developing Wisconsin's workforce and preparing individuals with the skills needed to fill jobs employers have available," Governor Walker said. "The close partnership with employers ensures that students have the opportunity to learn the skills that that are in demand by employers, and this additional investment will support even more of these opportunities."

Governor Walker's announcement follows his signing in December of legislation to provide an additional $500,000 toward YA grant awards during the current fiscal year, and another $500,000 in fiscal year 2015. The measure garnered the state Legislature's overwhelming bipartisan support, including unanimous passage by the Senate.

The additional funds will go to existing YA consortiums that received $1.86 million in funds for the 2013-14 school year, bringing the total investment to nearly $2.1 million.  DWD anticipates allocating the remaining funds for the current fiscal year in the coming months based on student enrollment.

The YA program helps to prepare students for the world of work while they complete high school. Following an interview with an employer, students participate in on-the-job training and can receive technical college-level instruction. High school students who complete the program receive a Youth Apprenticeship completion certificate, may potentially receive technical college credit, and have the skills needed for an entry-level job in their chosen program area.

Wisconsin's YA program was noted as an "Exemplar of Employer Engagement" in the 2011 "Pathways to Prosperity" report issued by the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The program was highlighted due to the number of YA graduates who enroll in post-secondary education or enter the workforce after completion.

A list of the YA consortiums and additional funding is attached.

For more information on Wisconsin's YA program, visit http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/youthapprenticeship/.