Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The number of students seeking out youth apprenticeships continues to rise in Wisconsin.
More than 16,000 students are currently enrolled in the states apprenticeship program, which is the highest enrollment in more than 20 years.
For students like Pulaski High School Senior Josie Steeno, youth apprenticeships are giving them a head start on their career.
“I’ve taken a fair amount of advanced courses, right now I’m taking a physics course at NWTC here so that’ll take out some of my credits that I’ll have to take at Eau Claire,” said Steeno.
Steeno is taking courses at NWTC towards becoming a physical therapist. She plans on attending UW-Eau Claire for college in the fall. The apprenticeship program provides her with on-the-job training, as she works part-time for Bellin Health.
“I’m able to get into the clinical setting and work directly with patients and see how physical therapists work with their patients,” said Steeno.
“Here’s the magic number: 10%,” said Phil Schaible with Bellin Health. “10% of our workforce doesn’t exist, 10% of the workforce doesn’t show up on Monday, and we have to close that gap.”
The program is cost effective, too. On average, youth apprenticeship courses at NWTC cost $396 per semester.
NWTC says it’s difficult to compare that price to the average price of tuition, but adds apprenticeship classes cost significantly less than the average tuition for a full or part-time student.
“The classes are a lot less than even our program classes here at NWTC, which are a lot less than the four-year university classes,” said Christina Jungwirth, NWTC’s apprenticeship coordinator. “And then in addition to that, sometimes the employer will pay for the apprenticeship programs.”
David Gordon is with CESA 7 in Green Bay, which operates the Northeast Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship consortium that partners with NWTC. He says some of the most popular industries include manufacturing and health sciences, as well as business and marketing.
Gordon emphasizes apprenticeships extend far beyond those fields.
“Apprenticeship definitely has its roots in trades-type positions, but now there’s apprenticeship opportunities in essentially any career field to students,” said Gordon.
Steeno’s apprenticeship opportunity has given her reassurance as she navigates her future.
“As a young person, it’s hard to know what you want to do when you’re older, but getting into this job and having this opportunity was definitely very helpful in being able to know that physical therapy is what I want to do,” said Steeno.
NWTC says it’s apprenticeship program has seen a consecutive 10% year-over-year increase.
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