Don’t be shocked if you continue to see high school students continue to fill crucial roles for area businesses through area youth apprenticeship programs. According to the Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporation, Kewaunee County leads the state in youth apprenticeship participation rate. Over 58 percent of eligible students get paid work experience while earning school and college credits. Those hours also add up, with 238 students earning approximately $1.35 million. Northeast Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Coach Lauren Baumann says she sees similar numbers in Door County’s high schools, where her efforts and Algoma High School are primarily based. She sees that students, schools, and businesses see the benefits their partnerships create.

Baumann encourages students and businesses considering participating in the youth apprenticeship to contact them for more information. Baumann works with students from Algoma, Gibraltar, Sevastopol, Southern Door, Sturgeon Bay, and Washington Island. Jolyn Helgeson handles students at Luxemburg-Casco, while Erica Janisch does the job at Kewaunee.