Become a YA Champion

Youth apprentices train from day one, which can help your company with two problems: the current shortage of skilled workers and the ongoing need for a highly skilled workforce. The hands-on learning under the supervision of a skilled mentor combined with classroom instruction engages students in the learning process and motivates them to focus on their future.
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YA training is a perfect blend of training coupled with work and productivity. It allows you to tailor the employee to fit your specific needs in your facility, on your equipment, in your environment, to your culture and to your standards and goals. YA provides you an internal career ladder and is a mechanism to promote your currently unskilled workers.

The Role of the Employer

The work-based learning component of the Youth Apprenticeship Program is the primary method for teaching the required competencies.  The local business becomes an extension of the classroom for the youth apprentice.  The related classroom instruction is intended to support the work-based learning experience by providing theoretical knowledge and when needed, providing appropriate skill development.  The work-based learning component is designed to provide an on-the-job learning environment for students by being “apprenticed” to an experienced mentor.

As an employer of a youth apprentice, you will be responsible for the following: 

Student Selection
Review employment applications, interview candidates and select the student (s) you want to hire.  New Employee Orientation is provided by you according to your facility’s Human Resources policies.

Wages
Youth apprentices must receive minimum wage or higher.  A pay schedule is agreed upon with the employer, local YA coordinator and the student.  Most employers grant periodic raises dependent upon performance or length of employment.

Workers Compensation
Once a youth apprentice becomes a paid employee they must be covered by the employer’s workers compensation coverage.  Other benefits may be provided at the discretion of the employer.

Education Training Agreement (ETA)
​Employers must sign and comply with the requirements in the Education and Training Agreement (ETA) and have a copy on file. Employers must provide enough work hours for the apprentice to meet the work hour requirements for each year (450 hours) and ensure that the youth apprentice is trained in the required skills as enumerated in the DWD-provided skill standards checklist.

Student Learner Laws
Youth Apprentices are considered "student learners" and have expanded rules for work requirements. Make sure you are familiar with the Student Learner Laws found on the DWD website here.

The Role of the Workplace Mentor

Employers must assign a mentor with strong communication skills and experience working with adolescents, either on the job or through family or other outside activities. The workplace mentor may work with multiple trainers at the workplace to instruct the youth apprentice while they rotate among the various workstations or departments. Workplace mentors are required to attend mentor training as arranged by the regional YA coordinator.

As an workplace mentor, you will be responsible for the following: ​

Training
Developing a training and work plan which will ensure that the student can learn the required job skills during the program; assigning the youth apprentice to appropriate trainers within the company; providing support, encouragement, direction, and information about the workplace.

Evaluation
Evaluating the youth apprentice's progress on a regular basis and completing the skill standards checklist; providing feedback for students on YA post-program completion survey.

Skills Standards Checklists

Required Mentor Training Video