NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – In 2023, the construction industry had over 450,000 job openings across the country.
“There is definitely a gap within the building trades talent pipeline and this is certainly a way that we can fill that gap,” Miron Construction Education and Engagement Manager Dawn Grenzer-Stumpf said.
The growing youth apprenticeship program at Miron is looking to make strides in addressing that.
“They have had the opportunity to try on a career to make sure that this is really what they wanted to do and while they did that they got paid and got to build their hours towards their registered apprentice,” Grenzer-Stumpf said.
As part of Miron Construction’s signing day, 23 new students joined this program this year. Additionally, four students from the previous two years earned the title of Registered Apprentice.
“Committed for the next four years to become a professional within the trades which is an area that we really need,” Grenzer-Stumpf said.
Among them is Kimberly graduate Jack Fenili, who is following in his grandfather’s footsteps.
“He told me a lot about it, a lot of the good things and yeah it’s kind of one of the big things why I decided to join the trades,” Fenili said.
Fenili worked over 1,000 hours across several projects, all before graduating high school.
“Done the youth apprenticeship for two years now so it’s kind of exciting to know next phase of the journey — it’s pretty cool to be a registered apprentice now,” Fenili said.
On Tuesday, Fenili was recognized alongside his classmate Jack Knaebe, who will also be entering a carpentry apprenticeship and jumpstarting his career path.
“It’s kind of nice because I’m less stressed and that’s probably the biggest thing is less stressful and I’m set up,” Knaebe said. “People from Miron have been very nice and giving and that’s really awesome to be appreciated by them.”
The program also includes instruction from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
The apprenticeships are signed through the state department of Workforce Development. Last year the program saw record high numbers with over 8,000 students.
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