Posted Sunday, June 17, 2012 --- 3:02 p.m.

MARINETTE, Wis. (AP) — One of northern Wisconsin's largest employers is struggling to recruit recent high school graduates for some of the best-paying jobs in the region.

Marinette Marine Corp. says it is holding open 40 positions in its training program for welders and other shipyard jobs, hoping to attract recent grads from the area around Marinette and nearby Menominee, Mich..

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the company has reached out to nine schools, but so far only seven recent graduates have applied for the training, which begins in July.

A typical employee at the shipyard can earn $30,000 to $40,000 a year. Some earn more than $60,000 with overtime.

Yet, like many companies, Marinette Marine is struggling to persuade people to enter the skilled trades, including welding, pipe fitting and electrical work.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.