MON AM News: GOP bill would change apprenticeship ratio; Report predicts stagnation in Milwaukee manufacturing job growth in months to come

May 5, 2025

— Republican lawmakers are seeking to change the state’s apprenticeship law to allow skilled workers to supervise two construction apprentices each, rather than just one.

Sen. Chris Kapenga of Delafield, along with Reps. Dave Maxey of New Berlin and Adam Neylon of Pewaukee, recently circulated a co-sponsorship memo for legislation to make this change.

They noted more than 600,000 new skilled construction workers will be needed every year “just to keep up with current demand” and fill jobs left by retiring workers. That projected demand is only expected to rise as the aging Baby Boomer generation shifts out of the workforce.

State officials last year announced the state’s registered apprenticeship program set a new enrollment record with 17,089 apprentices.

But the bill authors say the current 1:1 ratio for journeyworkers to apprentices is limiting the number of participants in construction apprenticeship programs, “especially for small businesses.” That’s been a damper on the industry, they argue, as these apprenticeships last three to five years. The ratio has been in place since 2017, according to the memo.

“We have heard from employers in our districts that are fortunate enough to have four or five individuals interested in becoming apprentices, but the ratio only allows two or three to start the program because they currently are employee apprentices,” authors wrote. “The others either wait until next year or leave the employer or the construction field.”

The memo references Michigan’s approach, where the ratio is 2:1 for plumbing apprentices and 3:1 for electrical apprentices. The state also has no set ratio for other construction apprentices, freeing up workers to supervise multiple apprentices at once.

While the lawmakers note Michigan hasn’t seen higher injury rates associated with the differing apprenticeship rates, they say their bill “would take a more measured approach” by establishing a 2:1 ratio across the board for all construction apprenticeships.

“This legislation will result in more small businesses being able to hire more apprentices that after three to five years will be fully trained to personally address the construction skills gap,” they wrote, adding the bill wouldn’t affect collective bargaining agreements that set their own apprentice ratios.

The memo was circulated just before state officials last week announced Wisconsin set a new record for youth apprenticeships, with 11,344 enrollees during the 2024-25 school year, a 14% increase from the previous year. Of that total, the agriculture and construction pathway had 1,409 youth apprentices, compared to 2,089 in the most popular pathway, health science.

See the memo.

— Milwaukee-area manufacturing is projected to see “stagnation” in its job growth trajectory over the next six months or so, according to a new report from Marquette University.

The university’s Center for Applied Economics in the College of Business Administration recently released its first “economic scorecard” report for southeastern Wisconsin. It highlights “signs of a gradual economic cooling” with weaker job gains and rising housing prices.

“While the Milwaukee metro region is in a good position relative to the national average, we are expecting labor market conditions to moderate throughout the next six months,” authors wrote.

Overall non-farm employment in the metro area is expected to hit 863,800 jobs by October, for a “modest” boost of 7,700 jobs, report authors wrote. They say this relatively small increase shows continued progress in the region’s post-pandemic recovery.

But manufacturing employment — which makes up a large share of the regional workforce — will remain “largely unchanged” between March and October, the report shows. That total is projected at 110,300 jobs for October, just below March’s total of 110,400.

“This stagnation in employment growth in this industry may reflect broader trends, including shifts in global supply chains, rising input costs, and productivity gains driven by automation,” authors wrote.

The report also spotlights retail employment for the Milwaukee area, expected to dip from 74,900 in March to 74,600 by October. The retail sector has seen little growth since the pandemic, and authors say that likely signals “lasting shifts” in shopping behaviors. But employment stability in this sector is expected for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, the median price of a home in Milwaukee is expected to rise from $375,000 to $387,400 over the study period, buoyed by ongoing high demand for housing. Authors say this trend “raises concerns about affordability” if income doesn’t rise in tandem.

See the report and release.

— The Midwest Renewable Energy Association is launching an expanded version of its Grow Solar program for Milwaukee and Waukesha, the nonprofit group announced.

MREA recently announced the Grow Solar Milwaukee + Waukesha program for this year, which provides discounted solar panel installation for small businesses and homeowners. That’s done through a “solar group buy,” where participants can collectively get more favorable pricing for installations.

Plymouth-based Arch Solar is the program’s solar installer for this year, and has been a part of the program for more than a decade, according to Director of Business Development Angie Kochanski.

“Our team is particularly excited about the expanded footprint of this year’s program and the cost savings we can bring to our neighbors,” she said in a statement.

Since 2013, Grow Solar programs have added about 3 megawatts of new generation in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, the release shows.

Program organizers will host free “Solar Power Hours” to promote solar energy to locals, where interested clients can connect with a solar installer to get a quote.

Get more information here and see the release.

— A company with an app called SpectrumScan to help people with autism manage their exposure to light and sound won the 13th annual Madison College Challenge.

Dai.vur.jnt was founded by Lena Alabbasi, who beat out seven other finalists to win $5,000.

“It’s been a crazy journey, and I’m still processing the feeling (of winning),” Alabbasi said. “I believe in my idea, and winning gives me the motivation and encouragement that others believe in it, and that will push me forward.”

The competition was open to any credit or non-credit student who has not already been a Madison College Challenge finalist. Representatives of Madison Gas & Electric, Summit Credit Union, Clearly Building Corp., Findorff and the Latino Chamber of Commerce served as judges.

See more at Madison Startups.

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