Job Training Bills Win Approval in Wisconsin

Several bills promoting skills development through Wisconsin technical colleges were passed as part of Gov. Scott Walker's workforce agenda introduced in September (see the Sept. 26, 2013 issue of the Digest). A measure to create a tuition reimbursement program for apprentices or businesses that employ them passed with near unanimous support in hopes of bridging the skills gap reported by employers. Another bill, SB 336, increases funding to expand the Youth Apprenticeship program. To help better prepare students for in-demand careers, SB 331 provides a $1,000 per student incentive payment for school districts to encourage students to earn industry-recognized certificates before graduating high school.