Youth Apprenticeships
Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship (YA) dates back to 1991 as an innovative idea: a school-to-work initiative that prepares students for careers. Now 30 years later, we’re continuing the work to show high school students every year how youth can get a head start in their field of choice.
YA is designed to shape and skill young talent for the needs of the profession. Think of it as an early recruitment and training strategy for your future talent pool. By design, YA integrates school- and work-based learning to instruct students on employability and professional skills as defined by Wisconsin industries.
Local programs help students gain real-world experience while following the statewide YA curriculum. Students learn from qualified trainers and skilled mentors at a participating business while also earning credits in a YA-related instruction class to meet graduation requirements.
Program Areas
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Health Sciences
Architecture & Construction
Hospitality & Tourism
Art, A/V Technology & Communications
Manufacturing
Finance
Information Technology
Marketing
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Education & Training
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
-
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
-
Architecture & Construction
-
Art, A/V Technology & Communications
-
Finance
-
Health Science
-
Hospitality, Lodging & Tourism
-
Information Technology
-
Manufacturing
-
Markerting
-
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
-
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
YA Alumni Testimonials
Hear from Youth Apprenticeship Program graduates on how the program helped them explore different industry pathways.
YA 101 Session
If you’re interested in hiring a youth apprentice but want more information, watch our most recent YA 101 session recording. You’ll hear directly from employers already working with students, as well as graduates of the program.
Companies gain new employees that are ready to learn the business, all while helping to alleviate challenges like skilled worker shortages or the ongoing need for a highly skilled workforce. The program allows you to tailor the employee to fit your specific needs in your facility, on your equipment, in your environment, and to your specific standards and goals.
Youth Apprentices experience a challenging and rewarding development opportunity with hands-on learning under the supervision of a skilled mentor. This is combined with classroom instruction to engage students in their learning process and motivate them to focus on their future.
Contact Resources
Students interested in applying can contact our YA partners: Dane County School Consortium, Madison Metropolitan School District or Jefferson County School to Career Consortium. Additional information is available at the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship and Wisconsin Registered Apprenticeship websites. More student testimonials are available on the Dane County School Consortium website.