By Rep. Warren Petryk

Representing Wisconsin State Assembly District 93

Everyone throughout our state has seen or felt the effects of a constrained supply chain. You can see it at your local gas station, your local grocery store, or when ordering online. By slowing our ability to transport goods, we are holding back our economic growth and creating barriers for customers and businesses. That is why I was appointed to the Special Assembly Committee on Trade and Supply Chain to investigate the impact of disruptions in production and distribution of products in Wisconsin.

The committee recently met to talk about the trucker shortage in our state that is only projected to double within the next 10 years; 77% of communities rely on trucks to export their goods throughout the state, so clearly, we need to act. In addition, according to the State Chamber of Commerce, 72% of employers state that the workforce shortage is the top public policy issue in Wisconsin, and the trades and trucking industries are no exceptions.

That is why I co-authored Assembly Bill 941. This bill would increase the numbers of individuals with CDLs by providing grants and scholarships for students to enroll and enter into such programs. This would provide grants to help upskill individuals who already have an employer as well as provide scholarships to help train students who are hoping to be employed within the industry. By lowering the cost(s) of training, we can reduce the barriers individuals have in entering this needed field.

We also had a hearing on legislation that I co-authored that would help high school students and adults become interested in a career in the trades. Assembly Bill 9332 allocates $20 million to promote and provide information on the availability of Youth Apprenticeship Programs, especially in districts that do not currently participate in them at all or have lower participation rates. This would raise the number of recognized programs that provide mentored on-the-job training in which 75% of students are subsequently offered full-time employment.

Moreover, further funding would be directed to the Apprentice Completion Award Program to incentivize students to participate in the program. The bill would also provide additional resources to allow credits earned in the Youth Apprenticeship Programs to transfer to a Registered Apprenticeship program to shorten their overall training time.

These bills are also a part of a larger Workforce Package and promotion of Career and Technical Education month that have been moving through the Assembly. It is my hope that these will help reimagine industries and trades while refueling passions that will facilitate family- supporting and economy-encouraging employment in western Wisconsin. While working on these topics, I look forward to an improved and more prosperous future for Wisconsin.

State Rep. Warren Petryk