Last week I had the opportunity to talk to a number of students from our area about their experiences as youth apprentices in Wisconsin.  These future leaders talked about how their experiences in the workplace helped them in the classroom as they continue their education.

I have been prioritizing the awareness and expansion of this incredibly important program throughout the state. I partnered with Representative Oldenburg to increase the awareness of Youth Apprenticeship to all students throughout the state by notifying parents of this program.

By doing so, it will allow more students to have the opportunity to increase their workforce readiness as well as skills and talents.  In addition, we also passed legislation that would allocate $20 million to promote and expand the Apprenticeship Program overall and to expand the bridge connections between Youth Apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships.

As Chairman of the Assembly Workforce Development Committee, I am continuing to look for additional ways to help expand Wisconsin’s workforce to address our state’s workforce crisis. One avenue we have to address this shortage is by ensuring that our homegrown talent has the chance to stay, work, and live in our state after they finish school.
 
That is why in previous sessions I supported the creation of the Wisconsin's Merit-based Scholarship program. This program gives academic scholars the opportunity to develop their abilities for entry into our workforce and avoid the “brain-drain” of our best and brightest leaving our state.
 
This last week the Assembly voted with bipartisan support to extend the Wisconsin Merit Scholarship program in our state to provide scholarships to Wisconsin residents based on their academic achievements. If this bill becomes law it would guarantee that the popular Wisconsin Merit Scholarship program is maintained going forward. The scholarships, which provide up to $5,000 a year to students, are awarded to Wisconsin citizens enrolled in UW System schools solely on the basis of their academic excellence.
 
Since the initiative's inception in 2018, nearly 300 first-year students have received $1.5 million in scholarships. Students at all colleges in the UW System are eligible for the scholarship, which is awarded based on their ACT results and high school GPA.
 
The bill now makes it way to the Senate for approval before being presented to the governor before becoming law.

Random Acts of Kindness Team Free Community Meals
March 21, 5pm to 6:30pm
St. Paul's United Church, W5706 Hwy 72, Ellsworth, WI
More info here.

Annual Ellsworth Fire Department Chicken Feed
March 25, 11am to 8pm
Ellsworth Fire Hall, 427 Spruce St., Ellsworth, WI
More info here.

Teen Cooking Club
March 21, 2:30pm-4pm
L.E. Phillips Memorial Library, 400 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire, WI
More info here.