The 2025 Senate Joint Resolution 26, introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and representatives, designates May 7, 2025, as Skilled Trades Day in Wisconsin. This resolution highlights the significance of the construction industry and the skilled trades, which provide critical, high-paying jobs that are essential to the economy and cannot be outsourced. It emphasizes the urgent need for skilled workers, particularly as a significant portion of the current workforce is nearing retirement age, and the industry anticipates a demand for an additional half million workers in 2025.

The resolution also acknowledges Wisconsin's longstanding commitment to apprenticeship programs, including the nation's oldest registered apprenticeship program and the pioneering Youth Apprenticeship initiative. These programs have seen record participation, with over 17,000 registered apprentices and nearly 10,000 youth apprentices in the previous year. By celebrating Skilled Trades Day, the resolution aims to raise awareness of the vital contributions of skilled tradespeople to society and the economy, reinforcing the state's investment in workforce development and training.