Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Program
Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship (YA) dates back to 1991 as an innovative idea: a school-to-work initiative that prepares students for careers. The WDBSCW leads the South Central Youth Apprenticeship Consortium, continuing the work to give hundreds of high school students a head start in their field of choice every year.
What is a Youth Apprenticeship?
The Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program is a transformative opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to unlock their potential and shape their future.
By combining school-based education with hands-on work experience, YA empowers students to develop essential employability and professional skills. Working under the guidance of a business mentor, students gain invaluable real-world experience while getting paid. Students also learn in the classroom, earning credits towards graduation.
For employers, YA is a chance to shape and inspire the next generation of talent, contributing to a thriving local economy and workforce needs. Youth Apprentices are selected and hired by the employer based on best fit. Once hired, students split their time between the classroom and the job, gaining real-world experience and industry skills.
Program Areas
The Youth Apprenticeship program is a 1- or 2-year program that allows high school juniors and seniors to explore a field of their choice. There are currently 16 program areas available, and within each program area, is a number of more specific occupational pathways.
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Careers involving plants, animals and the environment
Architecture & Construction
Careers involving designing & building homes, roads, & other structures
Art, A/V Technology & Communications
Careers involving creative tasks, such as performing or writing
Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
Careers involving public systems such as fire protect, law enforcement & citizen safety
Health Sciences
Careers involve helping people with the medical care they need to get or stay healthy
Hospitality & Tourism
Careers involve providing people with food, lodging, and related services
Manufacturing
Careers involving making products such as food, cars, plastic, and household goods
Information Technology
Careers involving working with computer hardware, software, or network systems
Government & Public Administration
Careers involve project management and execution strategies for organizations
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Careers involve moving people and products from one place to another
Business Management & Administration
Careers involve planning, oversight, and organizational tasks required to run a business
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
Careers involving solving problems through research and design
Finance
Careers involving managing and working with money such as accounting and banking
Education & Training
Careers involve planning and providing education services and other tasks related to schools, libraries, & museums
Human Services
Careers involving client services and customer satisfaction such as cosmetology and hair styling
Marketing
Careers involving promoting and selling products/services
How Do I Get Started?
Get in touch with your school district's School to Career Coordinator for next steps! Not seeing your district? Visit Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship website for more information.
Belleville
Teresa Gartley
608 - 835 - 6120 Ext. 3507
Cambridge
Deerfield
Stacy Gloede
608 - 764 - 5431 ext. 1106
DeForest
Austin Hofer
608 - 842 - 6619
Evansville
Linda Gard
608 - 882 - 3521
Fort Atkinson
Jefferson Area
Johnson Creek
Lake Mills
Lakeside Lutheran
Webpage
McFarland
Penny Thompson
608 - 838 - 4500 ext. 4709
Madison Metropolitan
Annie Johnston
608 - 663 - 5384
Middleton
Dave Thomas
608 - 829 - 9858
Monona Grove
Greg Benz
608 - 209 - 4997
Mount Horeb
Craig Smith
608 - 437 - 7165
smithcraig@mounthorebschools.org
New Glarus
Jane O'Brien
608 - 527 - 2410 ext. 4154
Oregon
Anna D'Amelio
608 - 835 - 4427
Palmyra-Eagle
Sun Prairie
Greg Granberg
608 - 360 - 3663
Verona Area
Jenny Johnston
608 - 653 - 1118
Waterloo
Watertown
Waunakee
Michelle McGlynn
608 - 849 - 2137
michellemcglynn@waunakee.k12.wi.us
Wisconsin Heights
Kim Houser
608 - 767 - 2586
Additional information is available at the State of Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship webpage.
YA Alumni Testimonials
Hear from Youth Apprenticeship Program graduates on how the program helped them explore different industry pathways.
Interested In Hiring a YA?
Hiring a YA means gaining a new employee that is ready to learn the business, alleviating challenges like skilled worker shortages. The program allows you to tailor your future employee to match your standards, in your facility, and on your equipment. If you want to hire a YA but want more info, watch our YA 101 session.