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Manitowoc board expands youth apprenticeship slots; students and employers report program growth
Summary
The district highlighted its youth apprenticeship program and approved adding three district-paid youth-apprentice positions (estimated cost about $29,000) to support expanding placements in IT, education and allied health. Students in the program described hands-on experience that shaped their career plans.
The Manitowoc Public School District presented an update on an expanding youth apprenticeship program and the board approved adding three district-funded positions to support apprentices working in the district.
Bonnie Presenek, the district's youth-apprenticeship coordinator, told the board the program lets juniors and seniors spend part of the school day with employer partners to learn careers; she said the program has grown from the 70s five years ago to about 177 students this year. The district currently employs a small number of youth apprentices in education and IT roles.
Student apprentices described their day-to-day work and how it shaped postsecondary plans. "I get to help these kids and knowing that I'm helping them...boosts your confidence," said Paige Novak, a junior who works as an EL helper at Jefferson Elementary School. Valentina Martinez, an EL helper at Riverview Elementary, said helping English learners become comfortable in class has motivated her toward education work. Douglas Wietek, an IT apprentice, said the position changed his college plans: "Originally, I was planning on being a mechanical manufacturing dual major in college, but because of this position...I've switched that up and am now going into cybersecurity."
The board approved adding three youth-apprentice positions — described during the meeting as district-paid initial positions for IT, education and allied-health cluster placements — at an estimated total cost of about $29,000 for the coming year. The board approved the addition by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
Supporters said the program creates career pathways and valuable work experience for students; board members also noted that some students learn the job is not for them, which the board described as a valuable outcome in helping students choose careers.
Administrators will implement the added positions and return budget updates to the board as required.
