DWD Announces New Partnerships to Advance Mentorship Training and Resources

MADISON – When considering the main elements of an apprenticeship, hands-on training or related instruction are often the first things to come to mind. However, another integral component to the apprenticeship program structure is mentorship.

"Mentorships are the heartbeat of Wisconsin apprenticeship," said David Polk, director of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's (DWD) Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards. "We want apprentices to have all the resources available to them to promote completion of apprenticeships at a high level. If apprentices have a positive mentorship experience, they will, in turn, become better mentors for the next generation of apprentices."

DWD's new partnership with MENTOR Greater Milwaukee and EmpowHER will expand the apprenticeship mentorship framework and provide statewide training and resources for mentors. Mentoring is imperative to the success of the apprenticeship model, ensuring that apprenticeship sponsors pass on the knowledge and skills necessary for the apprentice to succeed. With these new partnerships, DWD will expand mentorship processes, preparing apprenticeship sponsors for mentorship relationships and improving mentorship relationships for apprentices to encourage program completion.

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