STURGEON BAY, Wis. — With a little help from an electron, James Colosimo worked with the wiring inside a metal outlet back.

It was part of a hands-on demonstration aimed at teaching students, such as Colosimo, a little of what it takes to work in the trade.

“It was pretty interesting. I’ve never done something like that before, so it was pretty cool,” Colosimo said.

He’s an eighth-grade student in the Gibraltar School District in northern Door County.

Colosimo and his classmates attended an event at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s Sturgeon Bay Campus spotlighting apprenticeships, programs that teach on-the-job training within the classroom.

“I don’t really know what I’m going to do yet, so this is a good opportunity to learn,” he said.

(Spectrum News 1/Nathan Phelps)

National Apprenticeship Week is Nov. 14-18.

NWTC Apprenticeship Coordinator Christina Jungwirth said the college regularly makes contact with middle and high school students to show them apprenticeship and career possibilities.

“There’s a big demand for construction trade workers in Door County and all over the state,” she said. “If we can get the eight graders in, they can learn about it and kind of plan ahead.”

The college offers about 15 apprenticeship programs in construction and manufacturing. It’s also planning to add early childhood education in January.

“I want them to know that there is another option out there other than going to college and getting a four-year degree with a huge amount of debt,” Jungwirth said. “They can do an apprenticeship, earn money while they’re working and learning, and come out ahead in the long run.”

While Colosimo has time to decide what he wants to do, he’s now got a few more options to consider.

(Spectrum News 1/Nathan Phelps)

“I’ve thought about being an architect or a landscape architect, but I’m not really sure yet,” he said.

It may be a few years before these students move on in their education, but apprenticeships will be waiting for those who choose that career path.