MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today, together with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), kicked off “National Apprenticeship Week” in Wisconsin by celebrating that, for the fifth year in a row, Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship program for high school students saw record-high enrollment. During the 2025-26 school year, a record 12,141 students enrolled in the program, a seven percent increase from the prior year. Gov. Evers recently traveled across the state, highlighting his administration’s efforts and successes over the past seven years to support the state’s workforce, including the state’s Registered and Youth Apprenticeship programs.
“My administration and I have been working hard to address our state’s generational workforce challenges and ensure our workforce can meet the needs of the 21st Century. A big part of that work has been our efforts to make sure our own young people have the opportunity to gain the skills, connections, and hands-on experience needed to succeed and build their careers right here in Wisconsin and to keep our homegrown talent here in our state. These efforts have paid dividends for our state, including consecutive record-setting years for our apprenticeship programs—that’s great news for our workforce and our state,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m proud we’ve made smart, strategic investments to bolster our statewide workforce, expand access to worker training and apprenticeships, and reduce barriers to work for people across Wisconsin. With this latest record-breaking year, it is clear that our Youth and Registered Apprenticeship programs are proven pathways to in-demand jobs and careers.”
Youth Apprenticeship is a one-year or two-year earn-while-you-learn program for high school juniors and seniors pairing work and related classroom instruction in a chosen occupation. This program implements a dual training system that combines skills obtained on the job site with technical knowledge in the classroom. Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to offer a Youth Apprenticeship program in 1991, and more than 99 percent of Wisconsin’s public school districts that have a high school offered Youth Apprenticeship for the 2025-26 school year. To support the continued success of this program, the 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed by Gov. Evers provided over $6 million for the youth apprenticeship.
“During National Apprenticeship Week, we celebrate the fifth consecutive Youth Apprenticeship record by recognizing how the program successfully connects employers with youth to train tomorrow’s workforce,” said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. “Youth apprentices represent Wisconsin’s future health care providers, construction workers, teachers, child care providers, manufacturers, and much more.”
In addition to record-high enrollment, the Youth Apprenticeship program partnered with a record 8,105 employers.
Youth Apprenticeship career pathways with the highest participation during the school year were:
- Health Science: 2,189
- Marketing: 1,571
- Manufacturing: 1,568
- Architecture and Construction: 1,547
- Hospitality & Tourism: 1,402
“Wisconsin’s apprenticeship system has flourished as employers and participants recognize the opportunities our programs offer,” said DWD’s Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Director David Polk. “Schools, employers, and local Youth Apprenticeship consortiums are preparing youth apprentices for the future, whether that’s bridging to registered apprenticeship, seeking higher education, or standard employment. Together, we ensure that our state’s youth apprentices are prepared for whatever their future holds.”
The number of Youth Apprenticeship program participants who leverage their skills and choose to become Registered Apprentices to begin their career has grown in recent years, from 8.7 percent of Youth Apprenticeship participants in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021 to 15 percent in SFY 2026.
In February, Gov. Evers, during his 2026 State of the State address, announced that Wisconsin’s Registered Apprenticeship program reached a record 18,524 apprentices across more than 3,095 employers, marking the program’s fourth consecutive record-breaking year in its 115-year history. Wisconsin’s Registered Apprenticeship program was the first in the nation and combines structured, on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Since Wisconsin’s apprenticeship system allows apprentices to earn money while they learn in the classroom and on the job, more people can participate and pursue family-supporting careers. Employer sponsors see a similar benefit by utilizing registered apprenticeships, as they receive a ready-made skilled workforce.
Participation in Certified-Pre Apprenticeship (CPA) programs, Wisconsin’s third apprenticeship program, which prepares adult participants for registered apprenticeships and careers, is also growing, with 1,121 participants completing a program last year, up 33.8 percent over the previous year. CPA offered 37 programs through 23 training providers in 2025.
Additionally, during National Apprenticeship Week, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is joining DWD and other partners in building awareness about apprenticeship through the Wisconsin 529 College Savings Program and its two savings plans—Edvest 529 and Tomorrow’s Scholar—which can be used to pay for qualified expenses associated with apprenticeship programs registered with the Secretary of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Act and state apprenticeship agencies.
“Purchasing textbooks, supplies, and equipment, such as required trade tools, is vital to successfully completing an apprenticeship program,” said DFI Secretary Wendy K. Baumann. “During National Apprenticeship Week and throughout the year, we want to make sure students and their families understand that funds they save in a Wisconsin 529 college savings plan aren’t limited to just college tuition. Savings can be utilized to support a variety of education pathways, including Registered Apprenticeship programs.”
To learn more about Wisconsin Apprenticeship, visit WisconsinApprenticeship.com.
An online version of this release is available here.
