Elevate Your Operations. Train Your Trainers.
At UW-Stout, we recognize the transformative power of your team’s expertise, which is why our apprenticeship was developed to cultivate your in-house talent into master trainers. The Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship is a strategic expedition into uncovering and amplifying potential, aligning individual growth with your organizational milestones. Collaborate with us to achieve operational excellence, and refine your team's training skills while elevating your business capacity.
100% Online: Complete Your Degree at Your Own Pace and Schedule
Career-Defining Curriculum
Our program was expertly developed to align with the demands of modern industries, ensuring that every hour of instruction is relevant and immediately applicable in your business context. With the convenience of online coursework, your team can upskill without disrupting their essential roles, embodying the true spirit of professional growth.
- Industry-Driven Curriculum: 144 hours of related instruction backed by real-world application.
- Flexible Learning: Online courses designed to fit into busy work schedules, with no need for campus visits.
- Earn While You Learn: On-the-job training means apprentices contribute while they grow professionally.
Apprenticeship Requirements
Results-Focused Training for Immediate Impact
- Tailored Training: Equip your employees with 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training plus expert-led online courses.
- Immediate Results: Apprentices gain the skills to not just learn, but to teach, evaluate, and enhance workplace efficiency.
- Zero Tuition: Fully funded through 2024 – a cost-effective solution for your training needs.
Benefits to Employers of Training Your Trainers
Trainers work in nearly every industry to create strategies and programs that bridge the gap between the knowledge and skills possessed by workers and those demanded by employers. Trainers help employers gain and/or maintain a competitive advantage such as retaining top talent, increasing job satisfaction and improving productivity.
- Your Business: See measurable improvements through innovative training strategies developed by your own apprentices.
- Your Employees: Earn a certificate of completion and college credits, with pathways to further education at UW Stout.
Enroll in the Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship Now
Prepare your workforce for tomorrow's challenges. Contact Dr. Kelly Droege to schedule a program discussion and learn more about the application process.
- Contact Dr. Kelly Droege at UW-Stout. Schedule a meeting to discuss the program.
- Contact your state of Wisconsin apprenticeship Training Representative (ATR). Refer to the "Workforce Development Specialist" apprenticeship. Visit Wisconsin Apprenticeship Contacts
- After the initial contact, the employer will fill out paperwork and an Apprenticeship Contract will be created. The employer and the employee will need to provide information and receive approval from the WI Department of Workforce Development before starting the apprenticeship program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally recognized credential. The Train the Trainer apprenticeship is an "earn-as-you-learn“ program that is not limited by sector or industry. The apprenticeship requires 144 hours (nine college credits) of related instruction and provides 2000 hours (one year) of paid, on-the-job training for apprentices to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in a way that contributes to the growth and development of the entire workforce.
Both employers and apprentices benefit from participation in this program. Apprentices acquire and/or strengthen knowledge and skills to design, develop, implement, and evaluate training and development solutions to improve individual, team, and organizational performance. Additionally, learners will earn a certificate of completion and nine college credits that align with their career paths, and which can be applied towards achieving an undergraduate or graduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Employers will see improvements to their workforce through the implementation of new training strategies.
NO COST through 2024! Tuition is currently provided through a generous grant from the West Central Wisconsin Workforce
Development Board. Funding exists for Fall 2024.
- Foundations of Talent Development (TRHRD 560, 3 Credits) Spring
- Learning Technologies (ICT 710, 3 Credits) Summer
- Managing Organizational Change Initiatives (TRHRD 650, 3 Credits) Fall
Note: Coursework will take roughly three hours/week to complete. Time studying and completing projects is compensated as part of the apprenticeship program.
The Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship is a one-year program. In addition to the three semesters of courses (Fall, Spring, Summer), which take roughly three hours/week of independent learning, apprentices will need to meet certain requirements as outlined in their contract with the State of Wisconsin. Please refer to the contract for specific details.
Note: Apprentices should receive paid time during their regularly scheduled hours to complete coursework.
- Interested parties should start by contacting their employer to discuss their interest in the Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship.
- Familiarize yourself with the Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship program.
- Fill out the required paperwork once your employer applies through the WI Department of Workforce Development.
- Once the paperwork is processed, UW-Stout will receive the official contract. UW-Stout will then contact the apprentice to register for the first course.
- Upon registration, the Apprenticeship Coordinator will help new apprentices become oriented to learning technologies
and tools at UW-Stout. - Paperwork for the upcoming term should be completed by.
No. All three of the Workforce Development Specialist Apprenticeship classes are taught fully online! Students only need internet access and a computer. Classes are asynchronous with no set meeting times. Students work independently to complete assignments by the posted due dates. Courses have a start and end date that coincides with UW-Stout academic calendar.
