Youth Apprenticeship Program

Shape new talent for the needs of your profession.

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 over 450 high school students every year how YA can better their future.

Get Started

For more information on Youth Apprenticeships, contact us today.

How It Works

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 provide training based on statewide YA curriculum guidelines. Students are instructed by qualified trainers and skilled worksite mentors while they're enrolled in academic classes to meet high school graduation requirements, in a YA-related instruction class and are employed by a participating business under the supervision of a skilled mentor.

YA Alumni Testimonials

Hear from Youth Apprenticeship Program graduates on how the program helped them explore 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.

Benefits

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.

Industry Tracks

Students and companies can engage in YA opportunities in any of 11 industry tracks, including:

  • Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
  • Architecture & Construction
  • Art, A/V Technology & Communications
  • Finance
  • Health Science
  • Hospitality, Lodging & Tourism
  • Information Technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Marketing
  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
  • Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Impacts and Results

Percent of alumni that are employed post-high school

Percent of YAs that have successfully completed the program since 2012

Percent of YA graduates that enroll in a technical college or university

Workforce Innovation in Action

Our Leadership

Our work is made possible with support and guidance from industry leaders and workforce partners.

Industry Council Members

Mary Jo Allen, Bell Laboratories, Inc.
Michol Banes, Baker Tilly/American Marketing Association
Sarah Bass, Long-Term Care Workforce Alliance
Greg Benz,
Middleton High School
Zach Brandon, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
Dave Branson, 
South Central Building Trades Council
Heather Dale, Covance
Kari Davis, State Bank of Cross Plains
Josh Fassl, Dane County School Consortium
Greg Granberg, Oregon High School
Heather Jozwowski, Jefferson County School to Career
Craig Kettleson, Madison Regional Economic Partnership
Dan Klecker, Wisconsin Auto & Truck Dealer Association

Jeff Roach, AGC
Elizabeth Roddy, ABC of Wisconsin Apprenticeship
Ron Roehl, CNC Solutions
Milton Rogers, Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards
Dione Schuman, State of Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Penny Thompson, McFarland High School
Alex Vernon, Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation
Jeremy Walden, Madison College
Jennifer Wegner, Madison Metropolitan School District
Bridgett Willey, UW Health

Supporting Staff

Josh Fassl, Dane County School Consortium
Heather Jozwowski, Jefferson County School to Career Consortium
Seth Lentz, Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin
Annie Johnston, Madison Metropolitan School District
Cindy Sandberg, Jefferson County School to Career
Sherri Zimmerman, Dane County School Consortium
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Resources

Students interested in applying can contact our YA partners: Dane County School ConsortiumMadison 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.

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