LA CROSSE, Wis. - As part of National Apprenticeship Week (April 26–May 2), Western Technical College, in partnership with the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), announced a major advancement that will help Wisconsin apprentices earn associate degrees more quickly and affordably.
This new pathway will especially benefit apprentices in local La Crosse area industries like construction, manufacturing, education and healthcare, where employers continue to need highly skilled workers.
In partnership with local employers like Chart, Trane and Ashley, Western offers multiple apprenticeship opportunities. Beginning this fall, two new apprenticeship opportunities, Education Assistant and Surgical Technologist, will be added to the already robust offering.
Individuals who have completed a Wisconsin-registered apprenticeship can now apply their knowledge directly toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. If an apprentice has completed at least 400 hours of paid, DWD-approved classroom instruction, that learning will automatically count toward the degree — regardless of whether the instruction was delivered by a WTCS college or another approved provider.
Apprenticeship completers automatically receive 39 of the 60 credits required for the Technical Studies – Journeyworker AAS degree.
To complete the degree, apprentices need only:
- 15 general education credits
- 6 elective credits
These remaining 21 credits can be completed at Western.
Most apprenticeship classes are taught at Western’s world-class Apprenticeship and Industry Training Center, which features the latest technology and integrated lab spaces that mimic real-world work environments.
“Apprenticeships continue to be a growing and popular option for students and employers,” said Tyler Ludeking, Apprenticeship Coordinator at Western. “Over 200 students are enrolled in apprenticeship programs here at Western. This is a tremendous opportunity for them.”
Wisconsin has been a national leader in apprenticeship since 1911, when the Wisconsin Technical College System and the state's registered apprenticeship model were established. In 1991, Wisconsin introduced the first Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program in the U.S. Another option is the growing Certified Pre-Apprenticeship program, which prepares aspiring apprentices to enter a registered apprenticeship program. In recent years, apprenticeship participation has reached record levels, as more employers and learners join the system. Recently, apprenticeship opportunities have expanded beyond the trades to include such fields as health care, information technology, human services, and education.
Statewide, apprentices who complete their related instruction through a Wisconsin technical college earn a median salary of $93,000 (WTCS Apprenticeship Completion Report, 2023-2024).
Next Steps for Apprentices
Individuals interested in completing the Technical Studies – Journeyworker AAS degree can contact:
- The apprenticeship advisor at the college where they took — or want to take — their classroom instruction, or
- Any WTCS college where they already have, or are earning, 15 or more credits toward the degree
To learn more about Western's Apprenticeship program, visit https://www.westerntc.edu/programs-possibilities/apprenticeships.