A state workforce official says bridging the gap between student training and employer needs will play an increasingly large role in future job training.
Department of Workforce Development Deputy Secretary Georgia Maxwell attended a roundtable discussion Tuesday at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. She was discussing with educators, staff and area employers the state Youth Apprenticeship of Wisconsin and Registered Apprenticeship bridge. She says the goal is to make schools and students aware they can get college credits that apply after high school graduation, start to learn a trade and get into the workforce much sooner. She says the bridge is going to take place during the next school year in all of the state's school districts...
"....where career planning will be done from the sixth grade on, and kids will be exposed to what certain career paths are in all sectors of employment options throughout the state...."
Maxwell says they hope to work with schools and students about beginning a youth apprenticeship, getting credits that move toward a Registered Apprenticeship...
"....it's not just for high schools to be aware, but for parents and employers to know they can work with their high school and collaborate and to get somebody on the apprenticeship path. They can start as a youth apprenticeship and have that time count toward their Registered Apprenticeship, it just shaves off the time it takes...."
Maxwell says the new approach gives youth an idea what is needed for a career, and it might not require a four-year college degree to get that type of job.
