Performance Monitoring
Report:
Apprenticeship
February 16, 2016
Apprenticeship Purpose Definition
Offer related academic and technical support
courses for joint labor/management apprenticeship
programs.
Apprenticeship Performance Monitoring Report
0
Overview
For over a century, apprenticeship has been a cornerstone of technical education and a viable
post-secondary learning option in Wisconsin. “On-the-job learning” of an employed apprentice,
coupled with the applied learning at the technical college, continues to be a productive way for
employers to train their workforce and for the employee to gain crucial knowledge and ability in
their career field.
Total enrollments increased by 157 student in 2014-15 as compared to 2013-14. The projected
data for 2015-16 shows the enrollments up by over 150 students. Efforts to increase the
awareness of the value of apprenticeship across the trades are among many contributing factors
to the forecasted growth.
Performance Scorecard
PURPOSE
SCORE
What we do (Products and Services)
For whom (Constituents)
At what cost (Financial)
Vision 2020 – Questions for Board Discussion
In reviewing the past year’s performance, there are clear strengths and opportunities in meeting our
purpose. While this performance monitoring report provides a view of our past, we also invite the
Board to consider for discussion how to best meet the District’s future needs apprenticeship
programming. As you read this report, please consider:





What are our greatest strengths and how have we benefited our community with
apprenticeship programming?
What threatens our ability to continue to fulfill this purpose?
What will our District require for apprenticeship programming in 2020?
Are we well organized to meet the vision for 2020 for this area? What changes should be
considered?
What steps must we take to meet the needs of the district by 2020?
We look forward to discussing these questions with the Board during the monitoring review.
Symbol
FVTC Scorecard Legend
Description
Symbol
Full Green Arrow: Results are meeting or exceeding
expectations. No action is required.
Partially Green Arrow: Results are progressing, but not at the
expected levels. Monitoring of the plan will increase.
Description
Partially Red Arrow: Results are below the
expected levels. Efforts are under way to take
corrective actions and revise the plan
Full Red Arrow: Results are well below the
expected levels and actions need to be taken
immediately.
Yellow Arrow: Results are indicating caution with the existing
efforts and there is a need to review the existing plan.
Apprenticeship Performance Monitoring Report
1
What We Do
The Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (BAS), a branch of the Wisconsin Department of
Workforce Development, regulates the training and certification for apprenticed trades in
conjunction with employers, the Wisconsin Technical College System and trade advisory
committees. Employers sponsor apprentices in selected industrial, construction and service
trades for two to six years as paid employees and are responsible for teaching trade skills on the
job. FVTC offers state-approved coursework related to the apprentice trade with an 80%
common core curriculum statewide. While being sponsored (employed), the apprentice
completes instruction related to their job (paid-related) through FVTC. In addition, some
apprentices attend evening classes on an unpaid basis.
Employer advisory committees meet with FVTC staff two to three times per year to discuss
enrollments, curriculum, technology, and equipment purchases. The committees give direction
and input regarding the need for new apprenticeships and suggest necessary changes in facilities
and curriculum to be in sync with workplace trends. Some trades have local and/or regional
Joint Apprenticeship Committees (JACs) who review the progress of current apprentices toward
the successful completion of requirements of their apprenticeship. FVTC staff participates with
the local JACs which are composed of equal numbers of employees (labor) and employers
(contractors). Union organizations that are directly involved with FVTC apprenticeships include
Local 400 (plumbers and steamfitters), and Local 139 (Wisconsin Operating Engineers). Since
the organization of the Association of Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin in 1987 as a
non-union committee focused on the construction trades, FVTC has served both union and nonunion affiliated apprenticeships.
FVTC provides apprenticeship instruction in 15 program areas. Table A identifies these
programs as being in the industrial, construction, and service areas. These categories not only
refer to the distinct setting of the apprentice job but involve some variation in the instructional
experience and processes as well. Our instruction continues to blend classroom, hands-on, and
technology enhanced learning through Interactive Television (ITV) and internet.
Table A: Areas of Apprenticeship Training
Industrial
Construction
Services
Industrial Electrician
ABC Electrician
Cosmetology
Machinist
Electronic System Technician
Maintenance Technician
Operating Engineer
Maintenance Mechanic /
Pipe Fabricator
Millwright
Pipefitting
Plumbing
Tool & Die
Steamfitting
Steamfitting Service
Apprenticeship Performance Monitoring Report
2
FVTC Apprenticeship programs offer various blended learning opportunities which combine
hands-on experiences enhanced with theory and resources delivered online through Blackboard.
This method allows for remote access of course resources by students and offers a discussion
mechanism without meeting face-to-face. The block scheduling format continues to evolve as
employers, students, and instructors adjust to meeting for three straight days 5-6 times a year
rather than one day every other week. Employers tend to prefer this from a work schedule
perspective.
FVTC apprenticeship staff work to continuously enhance the quality of apprenticeship through
active partnerships. Key collaborations involve the sharing of instructional staff with other
technical college districts (Table B). FVTC is also an active partner with training centers to
enhance and maximize the resources available for apprenticeship training.
Table B: Apprenticeship Collaborations 2014-15
Apprentice Programs
Collaborations with Other Colleges
Location
Steamfitting
Steamfitting Service
Pipe Fabricator
FVTC provides instruction to
FVTC and NWTC apprentices at
Local 400 Training Center in
Kaukauna.
FVTC courses are taught by Local
139 WTCS certified instructors to
statewide apprentices at Training
Center in Coloma.
FVTC provides related instruction
under contract with NWTC and
Nicolet.
FVTC provides related instruction
under contract with NWTC.
Appleton Steamfitters and
Plumbers Training Center
Operating Engineer
Plumbing
Pipefitting
Coloma Training Center
FVTC – Appleton Campus
NWTC – Green Bay Campus
NATC – Rhinelander Campus
NWTC – Green Bay Campus
For Whom
In 2014–15, FVTC had an increase in the number of apprenticeship students served (Figure 1).
Table C shows the enrollment details of each apprenticeship area for the past three years.
Projections for 2015–16 (Table C) indicate a continued upward turn in the total enrollments.
From Fall of 2014 to Fall of 2015 (Table D), new enrollments have fluctuated depending upon
the needs in each sector. FVTC staff will continue their efforts to reach out to more K-12
districts to promote the opportunities, as well as making connections with employers that have
not previously had apprentices.
For 2014-15, 458 employers had apprentices in the various trades at FVTC. Wisconsin
Operating Engineers (Local 139) reports that their membership is over 600 employers, including
contractors from out-of-state. FVTC currently serves apprentices from more than 200 of their
members.
Apprenticeship Performance Monitoring Report
3
Figure 1: Students Served Through Apprenticeship
1200
1,042
1000
885
800
734
639
600
400
200
0
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
Source: WTCS Portal Report – CLI 330 (updated 10-27-15)
Table C: Number of FVTC Apprenticeship Students by Program
Program Title
Service Programs
50-502-1 Cosmetology
Construction Programs
50-413-9 Electrician (ABC)
50-427-5 Plumbing
50-427-3 Tech Plumbing
50-435-2 Steamfitting
50-435-4 Steamfitting Services
50-442-2 Pipe Fabricator
50-447-1 Operating Engineer
50-451-8 Electronics Systems Tech
Industrial Programs
50-413-1 Industrial Electrician
50-420-2 Machinist
50-439-3 Tool & Die Maker
50-423-1 Maintenance
Mechanic/Millwright *
50-423-3 Millwright Pipefitter*
50-435-1 Industrial Pipefitter
50-464-1 Maintenance Technician
GRAND TOTAL
Number of
Employers
Served
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
32
27
17
18
189
59
178
67
4
49
33
40
41
13
55
288
173
69
2
50
17
68
406 **
156
15
7
10
200+
16
20
12
5
58
45
3
71
42
10
79
40
13
35
23
10
92
103
107
36
3
17
21
927
5
13
28
1104**
7
9
33
889
4
3
19
458
YTD
17
101
Source: WTCS Report CLI330 * 50-423-3 Millwright – Pipefitter is reported under 50-7423-1 in the WTCS reporting system **
WTCS reports show a lower count of Operating Engineers due to the setup of optional courses that can be selected to meet the
program requirements.
Apprenticeship Performance Monitoring Report
4
Table D: Number of New Apprenticeship Students
Apprenticeship Program
50-502-1 Barber/Cosmetologist
Fall 2014 New
12
Fall 2015 New
10
Difference
-2
Service Programs Subtotal
50-413-9 Construction Electricians
12
23
10
35
-2
+12
50-427-5 Plumbers
19
32
+13
50-435-2 Steamfitter (Construction)
4
11
+7
50-435-4 Steamfitter (Service)
3
4
+1
50-442-2 Pipe Fabricator
18
43
+25
50-447-1 Operating Engineers
234
178
-56
8
0
-8
Construction Programs Subtotal
50-413-1 Industrial Electricians
309
15
303
24
-6
+9
50-420-2 Machinists
16
23
+7
50-493 Tool & Die Maker
6
3
-3
50-423-1 Maintenance Mechanic/Millwrights
29
27
-2
50-423-3 Millwright/Pipefitter
5
3
-2
50-435-1 Industrial Pipefitter
1
0
-1
50-464-1 Maintenance Technicians
7
8
+1
79
400
88
401
+9
+1
50-451-8 Electronic System Technicians
Industrial Programs Sub-Total
Grand Total New Enrollments
FVTC continues to outpace its peer benchmark colleges in providing apprenticeship training to
meet the demands of district employers (Figure 2). All the benchmark colleges and the state as a
whole are experiencing an upward trend in apprentice enrollments which mirror the improving
economy in many areas of Wisconsin. Enrollments at the College increased 12% compared to
the statewide overall increase 22% from 2013-14 to 2014-15. The larger Wisconsin urban
centers served by MATC Milwaukee and Madison College combined have 26% of the total
WTCS apprenticeship enrollments with Milwaukee at 613 and Madison at 584. FVTC alone has
23% of the statewide total apprenticeship enrollments.
Apprenticeship Performance Monitoring Report
5
Figure 2: FVTC Apprenticeship Students Served
Compared to WTCS Benchmarks
277
Waukesha County
349
2013-14 WTCS Total = 3,750
2014-15 WTCS Total = 4,573
457
Milwaukee
613
508
Madison
2013-14
584
2014-15
577
Northeast WI
735
928
Fox Valley
1,042
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
Source: WTCS Database
Completer Satisfaction and Wages
As a result of their apprenticeship completion, workers are reporting wages averaging $60,449
annually in 2014-15 with variations by occupation as noted in Table E (Note: some
apprenticeship programs had less than 3 respondents to the survey, therefore, average annual
wages are not displayed in the table for those programs). FVTC apprenticeship completers had a
big jump in “very satisfied” ratings from 54% in 2014 to 74% in 2015 (Figure 3).
Table E: Wage Impact Data for 2014-15 Apprenticeship Completers
Apprenticeship Program
Hourly Wage Annual Wage Hours Per Week
Steamfitting Apprentice
Operating Engineer Apprentice
Maintenance Mechanic/Millwright
Industrial Electrician Apprentice
Maintenance Technician Apprentice
Machinist Apprentice
Electrician Apprentice (ABC)
Plumbing Apprentice
Electronic Systems Technician
$38.27
$34.85
$28.87
$28.02
$27.74
$27.63
$26.56
$26.37
$23.25
$79,595
$72,482
$60,057
$58,282
$57,699
$57,477
$55,238
$54,855
$48,360
48
52
48
48
43
45
46
39
43
Source: 2015 Apprenticeship Graduate Survey
Apprenticeship Performance Monitoring Report
6
Figure 3: Percent of Completers Satisfied with
Apprenticeship Instruction
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Unsatisfied
Very Unsatisfied
2013 (N=61)
52%
43%
5%
0%
2014 (N=90)
54%
42%
3%
0%
2015 (N=80)
74%
24%
2%
0%
Source: 2013, 2014 & 2015 Apprentice Survey
Vision 2020 – Staff reaction feedback
Recently, apprenticeship has had a renaissance on the national stage as a promising solution to
the chronic shortages in the skilled trades. In Wisconsin, a U.S. Department of Labor grant
supports the exploration of new industries for apprentice trades particularly IT and Health. In the
FVTC district, our solid foundation in working with over 400 diverse employers each year has
earned the College a reputation of reliability and credibility. Employers recognize and value our
significant investment in apprenticeship including capital equipment and instructional
development.
Apprenticeships depend on knowledge transfer from one generation to the next on-the-job as
well as technology currency in the curriculum. Like many industries, even more so for this area,
the gap being left by retiring baby boomers is real and debilitating in some instances. A
successful transition requires a commitment to succession planning in the workplace and in the
classroom to ensure an adequate supply of apprenticeship supervisors and instructors.
In other countries, apprenticeship is an esteemed career path that young people aspire to follow.
Similar to other areas of technical education, compelling career advising and structured pathways
need to be introduced to students and parents by the middle school age as a viable and desirable
career direction and supported with educational focus in high school. A future vision with clear
and robust Youth Apprenticeship-to-Adult Apprenticeship pathways holds promise for building
the talent pipeline so desperately needed by area employers. Structured outreach to both
employers and schools is envisioned with FVTC as the catalyst for building momentum toward
this goal.
Apprenticeship Performance Monitoring Report
7
This close engagement with employers can also foster new modes of instructional delivery to
respond just-in-time with such options as portable training equipment, mobile instructors, and
skilled training schedulers. Vision 2020 may witness new heights in partnership models between
employers and FVTC with deep involvement in talent management planning coupled with fiscal
resources to better forecast instructional design for in-demand skills, cutting edge technology,
and predictive analytics to inform decisions on optimal offerings. The desired results are
stronger, more competitive employers and a vibrant regional economy.
At What Cost
Figure 4 reflects the fact that tuition revenue increased with rise in enrollment shown in Figure 1.
The apprenticeship area does not have a discrete budget since the College budgets according to
academic division area and not by type of instruction (aid code).
Figure 4: Funding From Tuition
$700,000
$600,000
$500,000
$400,000
$300,000
$200,000
$100,000
$0
Tuition
2012-13
$393,151
2013-14
$486,534
2014-15
$595,228
Source: FVTC Database
*Exclusive of Tax Levy & State Aid
Figure 5 indicates a 4.9% decrease in instructional costs for the apprenticeship purpose. From
2013-14 to 2014-15, there was a 19% increase in FTE from 121 FTE to 144 FTE. The cost per
FTE declined 20% from the previous year. Instructional costs declined due, in part, to the
implementation of Act 10, which resulted in reduced fringe benefit costs. In addition, the
instructional cost for Wisconsin Operating Engineer (WOE) classes is significantly less than
other apprenticeship classes. The change is magnified by the fact that WOE FTEs achieved the
greatest growth (accounting for 16.6 out of 23 new FTEs).
Costs include the support of the following instructional staff who teach in a variety of the
apprenticeship programs:
Apprenticeship Performance Monitoring Report
8





8 FVTC full-time apprenticeship instructors
9 FVTC full-time instructors with apprenticeship classes as part of their teaching load
3 adjunct faculty who teach apprenticeship classes
1 instructor who teaches half-time apprenticeship and the balance in contract training
30 training center instructors supported through a reimbursement arrangement (Local 139
and Local 400)
FVTC supports ongoing investments to maintain state-of-the-art dedicated laboratory facilities
for apprenticeship programs. This level of service for the district apprentice trades is frequently
referenced as an effective model and leader among apprentice programs in the WTCS.
Figure 5: Apprenticeship Instructional Costs and
Instructional Cost per FTE
$1,320,000
$16,000
$1,200,000
$14,000
$1,080,000
$960,000
$12,000
$840,000
$10,000
$720,000
$8,000
$600,000
$480,000
$6,000
$360,000
$4,000
$240,000
$2,000
$120,000
$0
Instructional Cost
Cost per FTE
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
$1,064,265
$1,170,510
$1,112,615
$10,434
$9,666
$7,708
$0
Source: Internal Staff Accounting (Instructional Expenditures)
Apprenticeship Performance Monitoring Report
9