Open to: 11-12
Credits: 1 credit per semester
Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship program is a part of a statewide School-to-Work initiative. It is designed for high school students who want hands-on learning in an occupational area at a worksite along with classroom instruction.
This one or two-year elective program combines academic and career and technical instruction with mentored on-the-job learning. Students work 10 to 20 hours per week / 450 hours for 1 year or 900 hours for a 2 year program. Employers provide wages, worker's compensation, competency training, and mentoring.
Upon successful completion of the program, the Department of Workforce Development issues a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency. All post-secondary options are still open to students: Four-year University, Two-year Technical College, Adult Apprenticeship, other industry training programs, military, and/or employment.
Student Qualifications for YA:
Good attendance
On track for graduation, 2.0 GPA, no failing grades
2 semesters of program related coursework
Driver's License or Transportation
Personal Costs - textbooks, uniforms, tools
Good Communication Skills and Time Management
If a student is interested in a Youth Apprenticeship they should see their counselor.
Department of Workforce Development- Youth Apprenticeship
Youth Apprenticeship Occupational Program choices include:
Architecture & Construction
Art, A/V Technology & Communications
Finance
Health Science
Hospitality & Tourism
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
The Work-Based Learning course is designed to provide students an opportunity to receive credit towards graduation for their experiences in the workplace paired with monthly class Seminars.
This course acknowledges that part-time employment is a valuable way to provide students with real-world learning through a partnership with local business and industry.
Benefits include:
career exploration
development of problem-solving
communication and life skills
an opportunity for paid employment
providing job experience for a resume
Open to: 11-12
Length: 1-2 semesters per grade level
Credits: .5 credit per semester, not to exceed 2 credits during high school.
Structure:
Students that enroll in Work-Based Learning must have a place of employment within the first 10 days of the semester or they will be withdrawn from the course. In general, employment is to be defined as a recognized company or business that issues payroll checks. Lawn mowing jobs, babysitting, and casual work for cash jobs will not qualify for this program. The instructor has the authority to accept or reject work sites as needed.
Students will meet for a mandatory orientation on the second day of the semester during their scheduled Work-Based Learning class.
Students will then meet monthly with their instructor in what will be referred to as a Seminar. The instructor may ask students to report according to grade level or career pathway and occupational interests.
On days that the Seminar will not be in session, students will be allowed to go to work.
Students must have a minimum of 5.5 credits to enroll.
Special Education students may get credit through Work-Based Learning or the Special Education Department, but not both.
Content:
Students must work an average of 10-15 hours per week. A minimum of 180 work hours are required per semester. Supervisor approved work hours will be collected on a regular basis.
Students must meet the requirements of 80% Seminar attendance plus the required work hours component to pass the course.
Students with failing grades in other courses or poor school attendance may not be eligible to continue in the program.
Activities: Monthly Seminars may include lectures, videotapes, guest speakers, and small and large group discussion on work-related topics. Some seminar subjects may include, but are not limited to the following: the history and value of work, criteria for successful employment, interviewing skills, career exploration, resume writing, safety in the workplace.