#WISHRM22 Exhibitor Spotlight: Wisconsin Apprenticeship with David Polk

Taylor Forshee, MBA, SHRM-CP, GPHR
Sep 21, 2022
3 min read

As a part of the WISHRM State Conference SMILE Team, I have the opportunity to connect with speakers and exhibitors and learn more about what to expect at the upcoming conference.

Today I spoke with one of the WISHRM22 Exhibitors, David Polk, about Wisconsin Apprenticeship.

Q & A with David:

1. Who should stop by the Wisconsin Apprenticeship booth?

HR Professionals, Business Representatives, People Leaders, and all other attendees. We'd love to help all attendees understand Wisconsin Apprenticeship.

2. What do you want WISHRM22 attendees to know about Wisconsin Apprenticeship?

Wisconsin Apprenticeship is an “earn while you learn” program providing on-the-job training and related instruction. The employer teaches the skills of the occupation. An area technical college or private training center teaches the theoretical knowledge pertaining to the specific occupation. With 75 youth apprenticeship pathways and more than 200 registered apprenticeship programs, there are many different career paths available to Wisconsin Apprentices. Wisconsin Apprenticeship helps address the workforce challenges Wisconsin businesses are facing. Human resources departments are the people that hire people, and we are eager to help them.

3. Is there anything you want attendees to know about you?

As Wisconsin Apprenticeship Director I have a long tenured history in apprenticeship. I am a licensed plumber and plumbing apprenticeship completer. I attained my bachelor's degree in 2010 form Cardinal Stritch University. After many years in the plumbing industry, I joined the Milwaukee Area Technical College as Director of Apprenticeship. During my time there I helped pilot the first in the nation arborist apprenticeship, pharmacy technician apprenticeship, and facilities maintenance apprenticeship. In my current role I am able to look forward to the continued expansion of apprenticeship into career paths beyond the traditional trades.

4. What are you most looking forward to at WISHRM22?

I am most looking forward to sharing the apprenticeship model with the SHRM HR professionals. I think it is important for HR staff to understand the benefits of apprenticeship as they work to solve businesses' workforce needs.

5. According to the SHRM 2021-2022 State of the Workplace Study, 84% of organizations reported labor shortage challenges in the past year. How can apprenticeship programs help with the labor shortage challenges?

Apprenticeship provides a model for employers to build their workforce, their way. The benefits for employers are endless, as apprenticeship brings them better applicants, more loyal and skilled employees, and a return on investment. For participants, apprenticeship provides an earn while you learn model, allowing apprentices to receive skills through training and education while earning a competitive wage. Wisconsin Apprenticeship offers a solution for our workforce needs.

6. Are there any additional things you wish for Wisconsin HR professionals and people leaders to know?

I would like them to know that apprenticeship is growing and evolving to meet employer's needs. The Wisconsin Apprenticeship model can adapt to solve the challenges you're facing, no matter the industry.

SHRM and Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development (DWD) are launching new HR specialist apprenticeship programs that average 18 months long. They culminate in a nationally recognized journeyworker credential and give the apprentice the education and experiences necessary to prepare for and take the SHRM-CP exam. The core PRI is provided free of charge by SHRM foundation and there are grant supports from DWD.

Meet David:

David Polk, the current Director of Wisconsin Apprenticeship, was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, and started his career as an apprentice. After high school, David went through a plumbing apprenticeship program in Milwaukee at Plumbers' Local 75. As he progressed through his career, David spent time as a plumbing inspector in the city of Milwaukee, where he enforced the Wisconsin plumbing code for ten years. During his tenure, he returned to school and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University in 2010.

By 2017, David transitioned to the Director of Apprenticeship and Trade at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), the largest technical college in Wisconsin. While there, he piloted creative and innovative apprenticeship models, including the nation's first arborist apprenticeship, which continues to thrive as Wisconsin's fastest-growing apprenticeship.

During his time at MATC, David emphasized the need to support students from minority populations and economically depressed situations. He identified and promoted opportunities for minority populations to get involved with Wisconsin Apprenticeship. Additionally, David worked to expand into different apprenticeship occupations.

David's experience with MATC shaped him into a leader who successfully triumphs over adverse situations by building partnerships, working with institutional and community stakeholders, communicating effectively, and centering the needs of our wholistic community.

David is steadfast in his role as Director of Wisconsin Apprenticeship, as the grandson of Wisconsin's first African American union plumbing apprenticeship completer. His commitment to ensuring positive experiences and outcomes for Wisconsin's apprentices continues.