For many students, the path to a meaningful career starts with hands-on experience, and for apprentices learning at Moraine Park, that experience begins on day one. From cosmetology and culinary to electricians, maintenance and more, Moraine Park offers a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities designed to meet the needs of today’s workforce while giving students a direct path into in-demand careers.
Through Moraine Park’s Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship, students gain on-the-job training while building a wide range of installation, manufacturing and maintenance skills. The five-year program at the Fond du Lac Campus blends classroom instruction with real-world application.
Ricardo Reyes of Fond du Lac has always felt most at home working with his hands. After 13 years at Grande Cheese, where he started in packaging, Reyes saw an opportunity to take the next step.
“When a new position opened at Grande, I went for it,” Reyes said. “The Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship through Moraine Park was part of it, and it’s really given me the tools to perform my job.”
Through the program, Reyes is developing skills in preventative and predictive maintenance, troubleshooting equipment and working with systems that keep operations running. Each day he builds his knowledge while reinforcing what he learns in the classroom.
In the classroom, instructors like Joshua Cohn help guide students from beginners to experienced professionals. A Moraine Park graduate himself, Cohn brings industry experience into his teaching.
“When students start, they’re often brand new to the field,” Cohn said. “You get to see those lightbulb moments as their knowledge grows. By the third year, apprentices are applying their skills in real-world settings, performing the same work as experienced technicians.”
The blend of classroom instruction and on-the-job training creates a powerful learning environment that benefits both students and employers.
“It happens quickly,” Cohn said. “They’re learning their trade, but they’re also becoming part of a company’s culture. That sense of belonging leads to longevity and success.”
According to Terri Kollmann, apprenticeship operations coordinator at Moraine Park, apprenticeships offer a practical solution for both students and the workforce.
“Apprenticeships are a great option because you’re learning while doing the job,” Kollmann said. “You get paid while going to school, gain real skills and avoid that ‘need experience to get experience’ challenge. At the same time, apprenticeships help meet workforce needs by training people directly for the jobs local employers need filled, allowing companies to grow their own talent, replace retiring workers and build a strong pipeline of skilled employees who are more likely to stay in the community.”
This ‘earn while you learn’ model allows students to launch their careers immediately, often reducing or eliminating student debt while providing financial stability along the way.
The impact is clear: apprenticeships don’t just prepare students for jobs. They prepare them for lasting careers. With a median salary of $90,000 for Wisconsin apprenticeship completers and a 95% satisfaction rate with instruction (2023-24 WTCS Apprenticeship Completer Report), the model continues to deliver results.
Learn more about Moraine Park Apprenticeships.