CONTACT: Rep. Loren Oldenburg (608) 266-3534
MADISON – Earlier today, legislation authored by Representative Loren Oldenburg (R-Viroqua) cleared its first major hurdle and received a public hearing before the Assembly Committee on Workforce Development. Assembly Bill (AB) 57 aims to bolster Wisconsin’s successful Youth Apprenticeship program and provide schools with the resources they need to best meet the needs of our state’s evolving workforce.
“Increasing the availability of youth apprenticeships is an important step to help students prepare for successful careers,” stated Representative Oldenburg. “Having these kids develop soft skills, and determine an area of work they are passionate about is a win-win for our students and our communities.”
Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship Program is administered by the state’s Department of Workforce Development agency. The program aims to help students find their desired career path – often times, in high demand fields – and allows them to gain soft skills and experience all while being paid in high school.
Specifically, AB 57 creates an appropriation for curriculum updates, increases the maximum of the youth apprenticeship grant to $1,000, and funds the program so this opportunity will be available to as many students as possible.
“Students in western Wisconsin and all across our state deserve to have options when it comes to finding a career of their choice,” noted Oldenburg. “I think this legislation takes an important step towards addressing that problem.”
Following today’s public hearing, the bill now will be considered by the committee prior to receiving a vote by the full legislature at a later date.
