Wisconsin Senate Bill SB285

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/15/23
• Refer: 5/15/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

The youth apprenticeship program and career and technical education grants.

Impact

The proposed changes in SB285 would significantly raise the financial incentive for local partnerships involved in youth apprenticeship initiatives. Specifically, the grant amount for local youth apprenticeships will increase from $1,100 per apprentice to $1,700. This increase alleviates some of the financial burdens on local entities and encourages the establishment of more apprenticeship programs, which are critical for providing students with hands-on experience in their chosen fields. Additionally, the bill ups the incentive grants to school districts for industry-recognized certification programs from $1,000 to $2,000 per student, thus incentivizing schools to focus on producing skilled graduates equipped for specific career paths.

Summary

Senate Bill 285 aims to enhance the existing youth apprenticeship programs administered by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) in Wisconsin. The bill proposes several amendments to current law, primarily focused on increasing the financial support and the structure of youth apprenticeship programs. It mandates DWD to enter into contracts for the development of curricula that aligns with approved career clusters, ensuring that there is at least one occupational pathway for each cluster. This initiative is designed to better equip young individuals for entering the workforce by aligning educational programs with market needs.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding SB285 could involve the allocation of state resources and the responsibilities placed on local partnerships. Critics may argue that while increasing financial support is beneficial, it could lead to reliance on state funding and affect local autonomy in managing educational programs. Furthermore, discussions regarding the effectiveness of youth apprenticeship programs and their actual impact on employment opportunities could also arise, as stakeholders may demand accountability in how the funds are utilized and the success metrics of these programs.