Labor Secretary Visits Wisconsin To Talk Apprenticeships

U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez touted labor apprenticeships during a visit to Milwaukee Thursday.

Perez and Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin toured apprentice training programs at the Milwaukee Area Technical College, and the site of the new Milwaukee Bucks arena, where

some younger construction workers may be employed. Perez praised the local efforts.

“The commitment of the Bucks, for instance, to make sure in the construction of the new arena, that 40 percent of the hours are put in by residents of the city of Milwaukee. That’s a remarkably important investment. And the work that’s been done at MATC. You are the secret sauce of success,” he said.

Perez announced that Wisconsin will receive $200,000, to help integrate apprenticeships into education and workplace systems. The Labor Department is handing out $10 million nationwide.