Hi, this is State Senator André Jacque from Northeast Wisconsin.
As we celebrate this Labor Day weekend and the start of a new school year, it’s a perfect opportunity to both recognize our top-notch Wisconsin workers and remember the responsibility we have to expand opportunities for them, especially young people just beginning their careers.
I was shocked when Governor Evers’ budget proposal last year expanded countless government programs while failing to provide a single dollar in new investment to allow for increased participation in youth apprenticeship, where students earn a competitive wage and can pursue a career pathway of their choice, while gaining vital skills and experience and help provide local businesses with a critical workforce resource. These students are more likely to remain in Wisconsin and grow their skillsets here due to the relationships they build with employers while test-driving careers.
That’s why expanding youth apprenticeships has been a high priority for Wisconsin Republicans. When Gov. Evers failed to create more of these opportunities in the state budget, I am proud that legislative Republicans adopted my motion to increase Local Youth Apprenticeship Grants and Career and Technical Education Grants for post-secondary credentialing earned in high school. I am proud to note that our actions helped lead to a 19 percent increase in youth apprenticeship program participation statewide over the last school year.
We also need to help new workers move up the ladder once they begin their careers so that they can accept higher – level and higher-paying jobs in a timely manner. I am pleased to have successfully worked with Sen. Duey Stroebel, employers and workers to push the Evers administration to add more testing dates to enable more workers to obtain the licenses they need to work in skilled trades and other professions.
And, Wisconsin Republicans have been the driving force in helping constituents and forcing the Evers administration to eliminate outrageous delays in issuing occupational licenses that have forced many qualified in-demand professionals to sit on the sidelines.
My Republicans colleagues and I look forward to creating even more opportunities going forward to help give the next generation entry into good-paying, family-supporting Wisconsin jobs and allowing them to keep more of their paycheck.
Thanks for listening, and God Bless.
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