Photo ID, from left: Cory Bouck, Lakeland University Trustee, Beth Borgen, Lakeland University President, Jeff Spence, Lakeland Board of Trustees Chairperson, Candice Boutelle, INSPIRE Sheboygan County Executive Director, Joel Evenson, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator for Sheboygan County, and Kaise Elmer, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator for Sheboygan County

Lakeland University (LU) is offering academic credit for work experience completed through Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program, the latest innovation in removing barriers many students face to completing a college degree. 

Students can earn three credits for cooperative education for prior learning earned through YA, or up to nine if they enroll at Lakeland as a degree-seeking student. The initial three credits can be used at any college/university, provided that the school will accept the credits. 

Students must successfully complete a Youth Apprenticeship program, which requires a minimum of 450 hours of work-based apprenticeship experience over a twelve-month period. 

Lakeland launched its Cooperative Education program in 2018. Students can earn up to 25 percent of their undergraduate academic credits through work and post-work reflection in full- or part-time positions with Co-Op partner companies. 

“Our Cooperative Education program recognizes the learning that happens on the job and how it complements traditional classroom learning,” said Lakeland President Beth Borgen. “This is the latest example of how we’re recognizing the academic value of structured, supervised experiential learning. Additionally, Co-Op is breaking down barriers that many students face to achieving a college degree.” 

CESA 6 Director of Career Readiness Tania Kilpatrick said Youth Apprenticeship is designed to give students meaningful, hands-on experience aligned to high-demand career pathways. 

“By recognizing experience for college credit, Lakeland University is validating the rigor and real-world competencies students develop through YA,” Kilpatrick said. “This partnership not only accelerates students’ progress toward a degree, but it also strengthens the connection between education and workforce needs in our region.”