MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has created five new Apprenticeship Navigator positions to help Wisconsinites find open apprenticeship opportunities.
DWD was awarded a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Expansion grant in 2019. Using the grant funds, DWD created Apprenticeship Navigators to educate and assist people in every region of the state who are interested in becoming apprentices. It took a little more than a year to create and fill all five positions, with the last two navigators coming on board just a few weeks ago. The team will personally guide those interested in getting into a program through the Wisconsin Apprenticeship System and refer them to opportunities that meet their specific needs and professional goals.
Navigators will largely focus on underrepresented populations who have had historically low apprenticeship participation numbers. They will serve as mentors, providing details of each apprenticeship program and guiding their mentees to an apprenticeship path that fits their interests.
