As the weather gets warmer and project deadlines begin to heat up, contractors across Wisconsin are working hard to keep pace with demand. At the same time, many are recognizing an increasing need to grow and strengthen their teams with skilled, reliable talent.
ABC Wisconsin’s Apprenticeship Training and Trust is currently accepting applications for individuals interested in joining one of our 12 skilled trades apprenticeship programs. For contractors who are not yet sponsoring apprentices, this is an ideal time to consider participating. Approved trainers can still add apprentices this year if both the employer and apprentice meet the June 30 deadline for submitting all application materials.
Once admitted, apprentices will begin classroom instruction in the fall, while immediately starting to log valuable on-the-job training hours. This dual approach allows apprentices to earn while they learn—building real-world experience from day one and allows companies to acclimate apprentices into their work habits and company culture.
Why Apprenticeships Benefit Employers
For contractors, sponsoring apprentices is more than just filling open positions—it is a strategic investment in the future of their business.
- Build a Skilled Workforce from the Ground Up: Apprentices are trained to meet your company’s standards, processes, and expectations, resulting in a more consistent and capable workforce.
- Improve Retention and Loyalty: Employees who are given opportunities to grow through apprenticeship programs are more likely to stay long-term, reducing costly turnover.
- Increase Productivity Over Time: As apprentices gain skills, they become more efficient and take on higher-level responsibilities, strengthening project performance.
- Strengthen Leadership Pipeline: Many apprenticeship graduates advance into leadership roles, helping to fill critical gaps in foremen and supervisory positions.
- Enhance Safety and Quality: Structured training ensures apprentices understand best practices, safety standards, and proper techniques—leading to fewer mistakes and safer jobsites.
- Stay Competitive in a Tight Labor Market: With ongoing workforce shortages, developing talent internally gives contractors a reliable pipeline of skilled workers.
- Positive Company Reputation: Participating in a registered apprenticeship program demonstrates a commitment to workforce development, professionalism, and the future of the industry—something that resonates with clients and communities alike.
The program adds a level of formal training, expertise, and experience that makes apprentices significantly more valuable over the long term. For employers, it creates a dependable system for developing talent, strengthening teams, and supporting sustainable growth.
Completing—and sponsoring—a registered apprenticeship is not just about meeting today’s workforce needs. It is about building a stronger, more skilled, and more resilient construction industry for the future. ABC members interested in sponsoring apprentices need to become approved trainers. More information on how to become an approved trainer is available here.
Understanding Registered Apprenticeships
ABC’s registered apprenticeship program is a structured, industry-driven training program that combines paid, hands-on work experience with related classroom instruction. Apprentices must be employed by an ABC member who sponsors them through the program. These programs are approved and recognized at the state and federal levels, ensuring that apprentices receive high-quality, standardized training that meets the needs of today’s workforce.
Through a registered apprenticeship, individuals are not just learning a job—they are building a career and growing with their companies. Apprentices progressively develop their skills under the guidance of experienced professionals, gaining both technical knowledge and practical expertise.
Why Complete an Apprenticeship Program?
ABC Wisconsin’s registered apprenticeship program provides the tools, training, and support needed to develop employees from entry-level laborers into highly skilled craft professionals. The program combines classroom learning with structured, on-the-job training, ensuring apprentices gain hands-on experience in every aspect of their trade.
Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes professionalism, communication, safety, and leadership—qualities that are essential for long-term success in the construction industry.
While not all trades require a formal apprenticeship, contractors and employees who participate consistently report significant benefits that go far beyond obtaining a license:
- Industry-Recognized Credential: A registered apprenticeship credential is respected nationwide, opening doors to opportunities across the industry.
- Stronger Skill Development: Apprentices gain real-world experience that translates directly to job performance, making them more efficient and confident in their work.
- Earn While You Learn: Apprentices receive a paycheck from day one, avoiding the debt often associated with traditional education paths.
- Career Advancement: Graduates are well-positioned to move into leadership roles, becoming foremen, supervisors, and key contributors within their companies.
- Higher Earning Potential: Completing an apprenticeship leads to increased wages and long-term financial stability.
June 30 is the deadline for apprenticeship applications. If employers and apprentices wish to begin the program in 2026, now is the time to get ahead of the deadline and secure spots for the 2026 program. Learn more at https://buildyourcareerwi.org/.
