Youth Apprenticeship.pdfWhat is a Youth Apprenticeship?
Youth Apprenticeship (YA) is a highly successful talent acquisition strategy in which employers hire high school juniors or seniors for a one or two-year apprenticeship. During the apprenticeship, the student continues toward high school graduation and takes courses related to the profession as a way of enhancing what is being learned on the job.
In Wisconsin, you can pursue an apprenticeship through the state’s registered apprenticeship system, where you earn while you learn with on‑the‑job training and classroom instruction coordinated by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD). You can explore many trades—from construction and electrical to plumbing and HVAC—by contacting local apprenticeship sponsors or searching registered programs through the Wisconsin Apprenticeship office. Many technical colleges (like those in the Wisconsin Technical College System) provide the classroom component of apprenticeships or help connect students with sponsors, and the state also offers certified pre‑apprenticeship programs to build skills before entering full apprenticeship. Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship program lets high school students explore careers and gain work experience before graduation. Taking advantage of these resources and reaching out to local unions, employers, or the Wisconsin Apprenticeship office can help you find the right apprenticeship after high school
