Madison College, UW Health and DWD welcome first Respiratory Therapist Apprenticeship cohort

Madison College, UW Health, and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development celebrated the nation’s first respiratory therapist registered apprenticeship cohort in August.

The three-year program is currently open to UW Health staff. Successful graduates will earn an associate degree and become licensed registered respiratory therapists after passing board examinations.

Respiratory therapists are in high demand, providing essential patient care, now more than ever. They provide critical and life-sustaining support to patients with acute and chronic respiratory conditions, including COVID-19.

Wisconsin Apprenticeship continues to lead the way in addressing the needs of the healthcare workforce. Addressing the workforce gaps in health care is essential, and this new apprenticeship program will increase opportunities to bring trained people into the health field.

With workforce demand outpacing the supply of graduates, academic and clinical partnerships that support incumbent workers are essential to addressing shortages in Wisconsin's healthcare workforce. Madison College faculty will provide all the classroom instruction for this apprenticeship program.

Apprentices will work as respiratory therapist assistants for the first 12 months of the program and as student respiratory therapists for the last 24 months. After graduating and passing the board examination, the apprentices will transition into respiratory therapy positions at UW Health.