Where to Apply in Wisconsin
(and Why You Don’t Apply to the State)
One of the biggest mistakes people make when pursuing an apprenticeship in Wisconsin is assuming there’s a single “state application” they need to fill out.
There isn’t.
This misunderstanding alone causes people to lose months — sometimes years — waiting on something that never comes.
The short answer
You do not apply to the State of Wisconsin for an apprenticeship.
You apply to an apprenticeship sponsor — usually an employer or a local apprenticeship committee — depending on the trade.
The state plays an important role, but it is not the hiring authority.
So what does the state actually do?
In Wisconsin, apprenticeships are overseen by the .
DWD:
- Registers apprenticeship programs
- Sets minimum training standards
- Tracks completion and credentials
- Ensures programs meet state and federal requirements
What DWD does not do:
- Hire apprentices
- Interview applicants
- Select who gets in
Think of the state as the referee — not the team owner.
Where you actually apply depends on the trade
This is where most confusion happens. Wisconsin apprenticeships fall into two broad buckets:
1) Construction trades (most common path)
For many construction trades (electrician, plumber, sheet metal, ironworker, etc.), you apply through a local apprenticeship committee.
These committees are often tied to:
- Union Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees (JATCs)
- Regional training centers
- Trade associations
They control:
- Application windows
- Testing requirements
- Interviews and rankings
If you apply to the wrong committee — or miss their intake window — your application simply goes nowhere.
2) Non-construction trades (employer-driven)
Many non-construction apprenticeships are run directly by employers.
In these cases, you apply just like a job:
- Company website
- HR department
- Direct employer posting
If hired, the employer then registers you as an apprentice with the state.
Why people get stuck
Most people fail at this stage because they:
- Wait for a “state opening” that doesn’t exist
- Apply to the wrong sponsor
- Miss narrow application windows
- Prepare after applications open instead of before
Reality check: If you don’t know who actually hires for your target trade, you’re not late — you’re just misdirected.
The correct approach (step-by-step)
- Choose a trade and realistic commute radius
- Identify the correct sponsor (committee or employer)
- Confirm their application process and timing
- Prepare documents and testing requirements early
- Apply when intake opens — not after
Where Patriot Pilgrim fits in
This mentorship does not submit applications for you.
What it does:
- Identify the correct sponsors for your trade and location
- Explain how each sponsor actually hires
- Help you prepare before intake windows open
- Keep you from chasing the wrong door
If you’re serious about an apprenticeship and want clarity on where to apply — and when — you don’t have to guess your way through it.
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