2. News Room

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 28, 2019
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
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DWD Secretary-designee Frostman Attends Wisconsin Pipe Trades Apprenticeship Contest, Delivers Remarks

Event in Madison attracts hundreds of Pipefitters from across Wisconsin

MADISON – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary-designee Caleb Frostman today attended the Wisconsin Pipe Trades Apprenticeship contest in Madison where members from across the state demonstrated their skills in both written and practical skills competitions. The winners of today's competition advance to the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry District Apprenticeship Contest. The event was hosted at Steamfitters Local 601's training center in Madison.

"Today I observed and interacted with some very skilled men and women who work tirelessly to deliver top-notch craftsmanship to Wisconsin's homes, hospitals, schools, offices and manufacturing plants," Secretary-designee Frostman said. "I am proud to work for Governor Evers and the people of Wisconsin, who delivered a budget that rewards individuals like these for their hard work and ends the eight years of attacks on our middle class."

Secretary-designee Frostman delivered remarks over the lunch hour in support of Wisconsin's rich history in apprenticeship. Wisconsin implemented the nation's first Registered Apprenticeship program in 1911, and throughout its history, much of the success can be attributed to the strong partnerships forged between the state, our unions, and Wisconsin businesses. Secretary-designee Frostman also spoke in support of items in The People's Budget that support individuals who work in Wisconsin's trades such as the repeal of so-called "Right to Work," and the reinstitution of prevailing wage for state and local projects. As Wisconsin, like many other states, struggles to find of enough workers to fill positions in a variety of industries, we should be doing more, not less, to attract our next generation of workers into careers that are provided by the Wisconsin Pipe Trades and their affiliated organizations.

"Today's apprenticeship contest put on display the high-quality work that thousands of Wisconsin Pipe Trades men and women deliver to the people of Wisconsin every day," said Terry Hayden, President of the Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association. "We're appreciative of Secretary-designee Frostman's visit and look forward to future collaboration on policies that support middle-class Wisconsin workers."

For more information on Wisconsin's Apprenticeship program, visit wisconsinapprenticeship.org.

For more information on the Wisconsin Pipe Trades, visit http://www.wipipetrades.org/