FP&M launched its Physical Plant apprenticeship program in 2023 with the goal of empowering employees and building a strong pipeline of talent for the future. Over the last two years, the program has expanded to include nine apprentices across five concentrations — heat and frost insulation; electrical; heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVCAR); plumbing; and painting.
A big part of that growth is thanks to the hard work of former senior recruitment specialist Dawn Bierman and apprenticeship program manager Corey Popp.
As longtime employees retire and fewer individuals enter the trades, the demand for skilled tradespeople continues to grow. To address this need, the apprenticeship program focuses on finding new talent and developing talent from within. By offering current employees and new, incoming apprentices the chance to learn and grow, FP&M is investing in their professional development.
This program not only fills immediate staffing needs but also equips participants with the skills and certifications they need to advance their careers, all while strengthening the university’s ability to maintain and improve its facilities.
“Growing people from within … that’s where apprenticeship comes in,” Corey said. “Growing your own talent grows loyalty, trust, a safer environment here at UW and it also instills institutional knowledge.”
Though their career paths were different, both Dawn and Corey followed a similar passion for workforce development, a path that ultimately brought them together at UW–Madison to launch the apprenticeship program. Dawn recently retired in April after working in human resources with the university for over 24 years. Corey previously worked as an elementary educator and then transitioned to a regulation and compliance role with the Bureau for Apprenticeship Standards at Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s (DWD’s) Bureau for Apprenticeship Standards, Sixth District (South Central Area).
During Corey’s tenure at the Bureau for Apprenticeship Standards, she and Dawn began working together to implement an apprenticeship program at UW–Madison with standards for classroom instruction, hands-on training, additional outside schoolwork and a licensing examination across the span of four or five years. But near the start of 2024, the opportunity arose for Corey to join FP&M and work with the program directly.
Apprenticeships differ from internships in that they are more hands-on, with 90% on-the-job training and 10% classroom learning. The emphasis on real-world experience helps apprentices build practical skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the work from day one of training.
Upon completion of the state-accredited program, the apprentice is given their journeyman card, certifying them to work independently.
Corey and Dawn emphasized that UW–Madison offers a uniquely challenging and rewarding setting for apprentices. With campus buildings ranging from the 1800s to modern construction, maintaining such a diverse mix of facilities requires creativity and adaptability. In some cases, parts must be custom-made because replacements no longer exist. This variety helps apprentices build a broad and valuable skill set that few other job sites can offer. It’s also a key reason FP&M’s apprenticeship program stands out and is considered a model for others. Most places simply don’t have the same combination of equipment, systems and architectural history that UW provides.
“If we are building and growing our employees here, since day one they have been exposed to the uniqueness of campus and have a greater understanding,” Dawn said. “The private sector has gotten very siloed. You’re either an installer, a repairer, etc. Whereas here, you do it all, in a lot of different spaces.”
Corey echoed this, stating,
“With the variables and variety of work at UW, we will never pigeonhole our apprentices. Instead, we want to provide valuable skills to increase their value as an employee. Apprenticeships help someone transition to a different field, find a new career with more possibilities, or learn new skills, all while earning a livable wage. Communities thrive when its members are happy and have a satisfied life. In that sense, apprenticeship not only builds up employees, it builds up communities.”
Though the program takes years of work and dedication to complete, 170 applicants applied for the six open positions last June, demonstrating great interest. Apprentices are hired in pairs to create a buddy system and a sense of comfort. Moving forward, Corey hopes to expand the program to offer additional opportunities to recruit eager, interested individuals into the trades.
“By the third year, apprentices work more independently, so ideally we can grow the program soon and every two to three years we can hire more apprentices and keep it rolling,” Dawn said.
But for now, these nine apprentices have proved valuable assets to Physical Plant. The program has already made a difference and provided opportunities for hardworking, curious individuals. Despite a long road to implementation, Dawn and Corey agree the program was worth the extra sweat.
“Everyone is pushed to go to college but not everyone is a college person,” Dawn said. “This is a great opportunity to get out there and let kids know there is another avenue. I’m proud to hire people and get them into the job that they love and they want and for it to be a benefit for our supervisors and organization too.”
“I feel so fortunate to work for UW in this position,” Corey added. “I enjoy coming to work everyday. I have a great team. I couldn’t have any better support and having worked for many entities along the way, this is where I feel like I belong.”
By: Corinne Loth
Corinne was a strategic communications student intern with FP&M Marketing & Communications who joined in January 2024. She graduated with degrees in Communications and Information Science in Spring 2025 with a certificate/minor in Digital Studies.