This post originally appeared at https://reforminggovernment.org/education-watch-youth-apprenticeships-at-school-legs-dig-in/

From the Department of Workforce Development: “We are excited to see a record number of 15,937 registered apprentices earning while they’re learning on the job, and we’re going to keep making smart, strategic investments to help this program continue to succeed.” Read more here.

Additional context from IRG Senior Research Director Quinton Klabon:

• Youth apprenticeships get high school juniors and seniors valuable skills (and cash!) during school through hands-on experience. Employers get high-quality recruits and even funding to convert them to full apprentices.
• The zenith is Luxemburg-Casco, where 11th graders can take 4 semesters of apprenticeships and 12th graders can do 8!
• Thus, 32% of Kewaunee County upperclassmen are youth apprentices! Manitowoc, Richland, Calumet, Lincoln, Door, Iowa, Clark, and Polk also are above 15%. Rock, Rusk, Taylor, Sheboygan, Waukesha, Vilas, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Kenosha, Winnebago, Dane, Langlade, Pierce, Florence, Vernon, Douglas, Marinette, Milwaukee, Burnett, and Menominee are all below 5%.