On Aug. 23, legislators participated in ‘Apprenticeship Signing Day,’ joining Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin in celebrating Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship program. Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield), Rep. Kathy Bernier (R-Lake Hallie), and Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) attended the event, which took place at Royal Construction in Eau Claire.

Apprenticeship Signing Day featured high school student and youth apprentice Treyton Sloniker, who signed a registered apprenticeship contract between ABC, the Department of Workforce Development, and Royal Construction. Sloniker will transition to an adult apprentice with Royal Construction while taking classes at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College.

Apprenticeships are key to building a skilled workforce in Wisconsin. Speakers at the event emphasized the importance of apprenticeships in job creation and addressing the state’s workforce shortage. ABC of Wisconsin currently has nearly 1,500 adults registered in an apprenticeship program.