The Wisconsin Building Trades Council (WBTC) on Monday announced that a new study shows the leading role that joint labor-management (union) apprenticeship programs take in addressing Wisconsin’s skilled labor shortage.
The new report, published by the Midwest Economic Policy Institute and the Project for Middle Class Renewal, outlines how union-affiliated apprenticeship programs in Wisconsin are creating the vast majority of new apprentices in the skilled trades.
Key Wisconsin apprenticeship takeaways include:
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In 2022, over 8,500 construction apprentices (77%) were enrolled in union programs, compared to fewer than 2,500 in employer-only programs (23%);
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Union programs accounted for 96% of apprenticeship investments ($64.3 million) compared to just 4% ($2.9 million) from employer-only programs; and
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Union programs invested more than $7,500 per construction apprentice — six times as much as employer-only programs ($1,200 per construction apprentice).
The report also notes the strong economic outcomes for workers participating in union programs, which are as follows:
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Union journeyworkers earn a median wage of $41 per hour — 41% more than their nonunion counterparts ($27 per hour); and
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The typical union construction worker earns 24% more than a Wisconsin worker with a bachelor’s degree ($33 per hour) and 5% more than a worker with a master’s degree ($39 per hour).
