Apprenticeship Information

Generally, a youth apprenticeship program meets the same four criteria of the registered apprenticeship program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. 

The four essential criteria are:

• paid, on-the-job learning under the supervision of skilled employees;

• related classroom-based instruction;

• ongoing assessment against skills standards; and

• culmination in a portable, industry-recognized credential.

Youth apprenticeship programs generally work like this: 

• An employer hires an apprentice in the junior or senior year of high school. 

• The apprentice spends a few days a week working under the supervision of skilled mentors. 

• When not working, the apprentice attends classes, sometimes in high school, sometimes in community college. 

• The courses are related to what the apprentice is learning on the job, but also build the apprentice’s general knowledge.

• Youth apprentices graduate high school on time, but continue with the apprenticeship for an additional one to three years after graduation. 

• By the end, youth apprentices accumulate years of work experience, free college credit (in some cases an associate’s degree) and a portable industry credential.

After the program, the apprentice has options. With networks, marketable skills and work experience, the apprentice is on line for a full-time job. Apprentices also can continue their post-secondary education, often applying the college credits earned in their apprenticeship toward a degree. Or they can pursue some combination of the two.