Milwaukee Workforce Hub

12/31/2025

As we wrap up 2025, we took time at the Milwaukee Workforce Hub to reflect on what this year revealed about our workforce ecosystem.

Across research, conversations, and storytelling, one theme kept surfacing: workforce challenges are rarely caused by lack of interest or motivation. They’re shaped by how systems are designed, coordinated, and supported.

Our year-in-review article looks back at:
• How the workforce conversation shifted in 2025
• Why apprenticeship should be treated as economic infrastructure
• The growing importance of readiness and navigation
• What employers really need to adopt and scale workforce pathways
• What these lessons mean as we head into 2026

The takeaway is clear.
If we want different outcomes, we have to design systems differently.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2025-milwaukee-workforce-hub-what-we-learned-changed-yndhc
Thank you to the employers, workforce partners, educators, and policymakers who helped move this conversation forward in 2025. We’re looking ahead to 2026 with focus and momentum.

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s worth pausing to reflect on what this year revealed about Milwaukee’s workforce ecosystem, not just what we published, but what the conversations themselves told us. At the Milwaukee Workforce Hub, our content throughout 2025 focused less on programs and more on pa...

12/29/2025

Apprenticeship is often talked about as a workforce program. The reality is much bigger.
A new article from the Milwaukee Workforce Hub explores what the Apprenticeship for America analysis tells us about the future of talent development in Milwaukee and beyond.

The message is clear:
• Employers need larger and more diverse talent pipelines
• Millions of workers could benefit from earn-while-you-learn pathways
• Worker supply isn’t the issue. System design is.
• Apprenticeship must expand beyond the traditional trades
• Employers need trusted partners to adopt and scale apprenticeship models

Examples from Wisconsin show that when employers are supported and workers are prepared, apprenticeship delivers real results.
The bottom line:
We don’t need a new workforce model. We need to build the infrastructure that lets apprenticeship work at scale.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/apprenticeship-scale-longer-optional-economic-sllic

12/19/2025

Wisconsin has a proud apprenticeship tradition, and participation is at a record high.
But a new Wisconsin Policy Forum report makes something clear: growth alone won’t meet the moment.

Demand for skilled workers is rising faster than apprenticeship participation in many occupations and regions. And when the system struggles, it’s rarely because employers aren’t interested. It’s because workers don’t always have clear, supported pathways into apprenticeship.
This new article from the Milwaukee Workforce Hub looks at:
• Where Wisconsin’s apprenticeship system is working well
• Why pre-apprenticeship and readiness are the missing link
• How geography still determines opportunity
• Where youth apprenticeship hand-offs break down
• What it will take to scale apprenticeships statewide and equitably

The takeaway is simple:
If Wisconsin wants apprenticeships to meet the moment, we have to invest in the on-ramps, not just celebrate the exits.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7407797820688306176

12/11/2025

📢 New Substack Article + Video Conversation!

The Milwaukee Workforce Hub just published an in-depth look at one of the most striking findings from Wisconsin Policy Forum’s apprenticeship research: WRTP | BIG STEP participants came from 32 counties across the state to access apprenticeship readiness programming.

In a new video conversation, Lindsay Blumer (WRTP | BIG STEP) and Joe Peterangelo (Wisconsin Policy Forum) explore what this geographic reach reveals about statewide demand, access barriers, and the growing need to expand readiness programs into underserved regions.

If you’re following Wisconsin’s workforce trends, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

📖 Read the Substack article & 🎬 Watch the video:
https://open.substack.com/pub/milwaukeeworkforcehub/p/what-wrtp-big-steps-32-county-reach?r=4z83n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Stay tuned — even more insights and the full interview are coming tomorrow!

12/09/2025

📢 New Article on the Milwaukee Workforce Hub Substack!

We just published a breakdown of the latest conversation with WRTP | BIG STEP and the Wisconsin Policy Forum, where we explored the current and future state of apprenticeship and workforce readiness across Wisconsin. This video article highlights regional apprenticeship trends, sector gaps, and where the strongest opportunities lie for building a more resilient talent pipeline.

If you're interested in where Wisconsin's workforce is heading (and what it will take to get there) this is a must-read/view.

Check it out here👇
(https://open.substack.com/pub/milwaukeeworkforcehub/p/where-wisconsins-workforce-is-heading?r=4z83n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Stay tuned for more highlights and the full interview dropping Friday!

12/08/2025

📢 NEW ON SUBSTACK: The Future of Wisconsin’s Talent Pipeline

Over Thanksgiving break, the Milwaukee Workforce Hub sat down with WRTP | BIG STEP President & CEO Lindsay Blumer and Wisconsin Policy Forum leaders Jason Stein and Joe Peterangelo for a powerful, wide-ranging discussion on the state of apprenticeship and workforce readiness in Wisconsin.

We’ll be releasing the full video episode this Friday, but in the meantime, here’s a preview of what you can expect from the conversation:

🔹 Apprenticeship participation is growing… but unevenly.
Some regions have strong pipelines while others, despite major employer demand, lag far behind.

🔹 Construction continues to anchor the system.
Electricians, carpenters, and especially the pipe trades show strong participation aligned with projected job openings.

🔹 Healthcare apprenticeships are a major opportunity.
Dane County’s innovative models show how employers, technical colleges, and workforce boards can effectively collaborate to meet escalating workforce needs.

🔹 High-demand occupations still lack apprenticeship pathways.
Fields like accounting, administration, sales, and frontline supervisory roles have apprenticeship models in other states — but not yet in Wisconsin.

🔹 WRTP | BIG STEP’s 32-county reach highlights statewide interest.
Participants are traveling long distances for readiness programs, revealing both strong demand and significant access gaps.

🔹 Workforce success is not linear.
Career pathways don’t always move from A→B→C, and our systems must adapt to serve people with diverse journeys.

🔹 Employers are shifting toward “grow-your-own” talent strategies.
Particularly in rural areas, investing in the people who already live in the community is becoming the most reliable workforce strategy.

🔹 Strong workforce systems require investment in people.
Navigators, mentors, instructors, and case managers are the backbone of successful apprenticeship readiness.

🔹 Wisconsin needs a more flexible, interconnected apprenticeship ecosystem.
One that supports both traditional trades and new, emerging demand areas.

👉 Read the full article here: https://open.substack.com/pub/milwaukeeworkforcehub/p/the-future-of-wisconsins-talent-pipeline?r=4z83n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Stay tuned — the full interview drops Friday!

Over Thanksgiving break, the Milwaukee Workforce Hub hosted a rich and wide-ranging conversation with WRTP | BIG STEP President & CEO Lindsay Blumer, and Wisconsin Policy Forum leaders Jason Stein and Joe Peterangelo.

12/05/2025

🎙 BIG news for Wisconsin’s workforce community.

We’re excited to share the teaser for a new conversation between Lindsay Blumer, President & CEO of WRTP | BIG STEP, and Wisconsin Policy Forum leaders Jason Stein and Joe Peterangelo; a discussion that explores where apprenticeships are growing, where gaps exist, and how Wisconsin can build more flexible pathways into high-demand careers.

This teaser is just the start.
Next week we’ll be releasing podcast clips and the full episode: diving into policy, readiness, employer needs, regional differences, and the future of talent development in our state.
If you care about workforce innovation, apprenticeship opportunity, or shaping Wisconsin’s economic future; stay connected. More coming soon.

🎥 Full rollout next week
Follow Milwaukee Workforce Hub for updates!

11/25/2025

📣 New Article: The Social Services Workforce Is in Crisis, But Southeastern Wisconsin Has an Opportunity to Lead

Across the country, social workers, counselors, case managers, peer specialists, and community health workers are carrying heavier caseloads than ever. Demand for mental health, substance use, housing, and family-support services is rising quickly, and the workforce simply hasn’t kept up.

Southeastern Wisconsin is feeling the strain too; but unlike many regions, we have the institutions, partnerships, and community strength needed to build a coordinated solution if we act now.

Our latest Milwaukee Workforce Hub article explores:
✔ Why the national workforce shortage is intensifying
✔ How this moment is impacting Milwaukee and surrounding counties
✔ The pressure points we must address
✔ The realistic steps our region can take to build a stronger, more stable social services workforce

This is a chance to move from crisis-response to long-term strategy… and to build a system where every resident gets the support they need to thrive.

https://open.substack.com/pub/milwaukeeworkforcehub/p/the-social-services-workforce-is?r=4z83n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Wisconsin Department of Health Services United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

11/24/2025

🚧 Why Construction Management Is One of Wisconsin’s Best Six-Figure Career Paths

Most people don’t realize how fast careers in Project, Operations, and Construction Management are growing, or how quickly they can reach six-figure earnings. With massive data center builds, energy upgrades, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure projects happening across Wisconsin, these leadership roles are more in demand than ever.

Our latest article explores what these careers look like, how people move into them, and why Wisconsin’s construction boom is creating huge opportunities for emerging leaders.
If you’re interested in building a stable, high-growth career (or helping others get there) this one’s worth reading.
https://open.substack.com/pub/milwaukeeworkforcehub/p/building-tomorrow-why-construction?r=4z83n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true