Wauwatosa East High School held its 4th annual Industry Signing Day on Wednesday, May 29.
The event, supported by the Wauwatosa School District’s Certified Pre-Apprenticeship (CPA) partners—Carpenter’s Training Institute and North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters—celebrates students in the LAUNCH program who have worked hard to acquire skills that will enable them to move into high-demand jobs in the future.
A total of 24 students were recognized, with numerous high school seniors completing their CPA coursework and accepting registered apprenticeships (RA) or accepting jobs that will put them on the path toward becoming RAs.
Ryan Acker (Wauwatosa West High School) accepted a Pre-Apprentice position with AGI Fabricators. Jacob Lassa (Wauwatosa East High School) will start a carpentry RAwith CG Schmidt, and Caden Dykstra (East) accepted a carpentry RA position with Common Links Construction. Nolan Anderson (East) will enter the HVAC field with Dave Jones LLC, and Ayden Laskowski (West) will start his carpentryRA with Findorff Construction.
Additionally, Aiden Zirbes (West) accepted a position with Hetzel Tile & Marble and Michael Nemitz (East) will enter the Ironworkers Union. Trystan Splude (East) will begin a construction position with Mortenson Construction, and Zack Wozniak (East) will also start on the RA path with Mortenson. Myana Cooper (West) will start the Operators Union’sDestinations Career Academy’s, Patrick Diggins-Davis (East) and Steven Tiru (East) accepted Construction Wireman positions with STAFF Electric, and Will Plankers (East) will enter the electrical field with TOTAL Mechanical.
Six high school juniors were also recognized for beginning their Youth Apprenticeships (YA) in the summer or fall. Ian Jamieson (East) will enter the construction field with CG Schmidt. Thomas Mello (Brookfield Central) and Will York (East) accepted positions with Mortenson. Hunter Wendelberger (East) and Christian Wolfe (West) accepted positions with Staff Electric, and Matthew Krause (East) will enter a plumbing YA with TOTAL Mechanical.
Other CPA program completers recognized at the event include Isabelle Erickson (East), Hunter Kaltenbach (East), Hayden La Fave (East), Mya Mays (East), and Joseph Rueth (West).
Speakers at the event included Wauwatosa School District Superintendent Dr. Demond Means, Director of Apprenticeship at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Mr. David Polk, and Wauwatosa East student Isabelle Erickson who shared, “Graduating next year I will start my apprenticeship for the tile workers. As a female entering the trades, there have already been numerous hurdles to jump and I know there are many more to come. I am so incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this year and for those who I have no doubt will continue to support me as I enter my career.”
Participating in a registered apprenticeship enables graduates and current high school students to earn money while acquiring valuable skills in their respective industries. The duration of an apprenticeship varies by trade, but each role involves ongoing coursework and hands-on training.
Registered apprenticeships have increased in popularity in recent years. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 241,000 new apprentices joined the national apprenticeship system in 2021, and the number of apprentices in the United States has risen by 64 percent since 2012.