As part of National Apprenticeship Week (April 26–May 2), Northwood Technical College, in partnership with the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), is announcing a new pathway designed to help Wisconsin apprentices earn associate degrees more quickly and affordably.
This new pathway will especially benefit apprentices in northwestern Wisconsin, where employers continue to face strong demand for highly skilled workers in construction, manufacturing, health care and service industries.
Individuals who have completed a Wisconsin-registered apprenticeship can now apply their knowledge directly toward an Associate of Applied Science degree. Apprentices who complete at least 400 hours of paid, Department of Workforce Development-approved classroom instruction will have that learning automatically applied toward the degree, regardless of where the instruction was delivered.
Apprenticeship completers automatically receive 39 of the 60 credits required for the Technical Studies – Journeyworker Associate of Applied Science degree.
To complete the degree, apprentices need only:
- 15 general education credits
- 6 elective credits
The remaining 21 credits can be completed at Northwood Tech.
“This pathway recognizes the real-world skills apprentices already bring to the table and turns that experience into meaningful academic progress,” said Dr. John Will, president of Northwood Tech. “By awarding credit for prior learning, we’re helping apprentices move faster toward a degree while strengthening the workforce across our region.”
“We see firsthand how apprentices balance work, training and life while developing in-demand skills,” said Eric Lockwood, director of apprenticeships and academies at Northwood Tech. “This pathway gives them a more efficient way to apply that experience toward a degree while helping employers build a stronger, more skilled workforce.”
Northwood Tech supports apprenticeship training across multiple industries, including construction, manufacturing, health care and service fields, with programs such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, millwright, surgical technology and cosmetology. The college currently serves approximately 135 apprentices annually, with participation continuing to grow. Northwood Tech partners with employers across the region, including Blakeman Plumbing, Bear Valley Electric, Western Wisconsin Health and HealthPartners, to deliver apprenticeship training aligned with workforce needs.
Wisconsin has been a national leader in apprenticeship since 1911, when the WTCS and the state’s registered apprenticeship model were established. In 1991, Wisconsin introduced the first Youth Apprenticeship program in the United States. Another option is the growing Certified Pre-Apprenticeship program, which prepares aspiring apprentices to enter a registered apprenticeship program. In recent years, apprenticeship participation has reached record levels as more employers and learners join the system. Northwood Tech has supported apprenticeship training since 1977, partnering with employers to deliver related instruction and expand opportunities for learners across the region. Recently, apprenticeship opportunities have expanded beyond the trades to include fields such as health care, information technology, human services and education.
Statewide, apprentices who complete their related instruction through a Wisconsin technical college earn a median salary of $93,000, according to the WTCS Apprenticeship Completion Report for 2023-24.
“Apprentice earnings continue to reflect strong demand among employers in Wisconsin,” said Layla Merrifield, president of the WTCS. “I don’t know of any other program where students can earn while they learn, often completing all training with zero debt. And now with the option to more easily turn their journeyworker credential into an Associate of Applied Science degree, apprentices will be even better equipped for future success.”
Next Steps for Apprentices
Individuals interested in completing the Technical Studies – Journeyworker AAS degree can contact:
- The apprenticeship advisor at the college where they took — or want to take — their classroom instruction, or
- Any WTCS college where they already have, or are earning, 15 or more credits toward the degree
To learn more about all apprenticeship programs offered by Northwood Tech, contact Eric Lockwood, director of apprenticeships and academies, at Eric.Lockwood@NorthwoodTech.edu or visit NorthwoodTech.edu/Apprenticeships.
