WBAY.com: The number of high school students getting real-life, hands-on work experience is growing rapidly. That’s because state funding for youth apprenticeship programs has more than doubled since 2010.
Gov. Scott Walker was at Kimberly High School on Friday to see firsthand the success of these programs.
The governor says now more than ever, these youth apprenticeship programs are important to Wisconsin as the state is seeing some of its lowest unemployment in years. Companies of all kinds are looking to add employees.
The youth apprenticeship program at Kimberly High School is thriving and growing. In 2014, 22 students participated in the program. Last year’s graduating class had more than 100 students take part in it.
Students are gaining experience in careers like agriculture, transportation, hospitality, finance and manufacturing.
The governor told students their participation is not only a lesson for them but is beneficial for the state and businesses.
“We want both student success, but we also want student success that leads to a strong and vibrant workforce going forward, which is good not just for employers, it’s good for all of you. Because in the end what you want is not just a job, hopefully what you want is a career — a career that you’ll enjoy, a career that can someday support not just yourself but, if you choose to, have a family. And that will make for a stronger community and in turn a stronger state,” Gov. Walker said.
