Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally recognized credential. The Train the Trainer apprenticeship is an "earn-as-you-learn“ program that is not limited by sector or industry. The apprenticeship requires 144 hours (nine college credits) of related instruction and provides 2000 hours (one year) of paid, on-the-job training for apprentices to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in a way that contributes to the growth and development of the entire workforce.

Both employers and apprentices benefit from participation in this program. Apprentices acquire and/or strengthen knowledge and skills to design, develop, implement, and evaluate training and development solutions to improve individual, team, and organizational performance. Additionally, learners will earn a certificate of completion and nine college credits that align with their career paths, and which can be applied towards achieving an undergraduate or graduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Employers will see improvements to their workforce through the implementation of new training strategies.

NO COST through 2024! Tuition is currently provided through a generous grant from the West Central Wisconsin Workforce
Development Board. Funding exists for Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024.

Trainers work in nearly every industry and are tasked with creating strategies and programs to bridge the gap between the knowledge and skills possessed by workers and those demanded by employers. Trainers help employers gain and/or maintain a
competitive advantage such as retaining top talent, increasing job satisfaction and improving productivity.

No - all three of the Train the Trainer classes are taught fully online! Students only need internet access and a computer. Classes are asynchronous with no set meeting times. Students work independently to complete assignments by the posted due dates. Courses have a start and end date that coincides with UW-Stout academic calendar.

1. Discuss your interest with your employer.

2. Familiarize yourself with the Train the Trainer apprenticeship program.

3. Fill out the required paperwork once your employer applies through the WI Department of Workforce Development.

4. Once the paperwork is processed, UWStout will receive the official contract. UWStout will then contact the apprentice to
register for the first course.

5. Upon registration, the Apprenticeship Coordinator will help new apprentices become oriented to learning technologies
and tools at UW-Stout.

6. Paperwork for the Spring 2024 term should be completed by Friday, January 19th.

This is a one-year program. In addition to the three semesters of courses (Fall, Spring, Summer) which take roughly three hours/week of independent learning, apprentices will need to meet certain requirements as outlined in their contract with the
state of WI. Please refer to the contract for specific details. 

Note that the apprentices should receive paid time during their regularly scheduled hours to complete coursework.

• Foundations of Talent Development (Spring 2024)

• Learning Technologies (Summer 2024)

• Managing Organizational Change Initiatives (Fall 2024)

Note: Coursework will take roughly three hours/week to complete. Time studying and completing projects is compensated as part of the apprenticeship program.