CESA 8 Youth Apprenticeship Program

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Youth Apprenticeship (YA) is a unique opportunity for juniors and seniors to start preparing for a career while still in high school.

The Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship program integrates school-based and work-based learning. It is designed for high school students who want hands-on learning in an occupational area at a work-site along with classroom instruction. Students accepted into an approved Youth Apprenticeship program will continue taking classes at their high school while working as an apprentice at a participating business. Students will be enrolled in a technical class related to their youth apprenticeship program. These courses may be offered at either their high school or off campus.

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Benefits for Students

• Increase career awareness and improve future employability
• Paid work experience
• On-the-job mentoring
• ​DWD Certificate of Occupational Proficiency 
• State skills certificates
• School credits for work hours

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Benefits for School Districts

• Work experience for students
• Enhanced ability to meet the needs of diverse student populations
• ​Direct connections with local employers and their workforce needs
• $450 per student to meet program costs (on average per year)
• Completed certificates qualify for an additional $1000 each through CTE Incentive Grants

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Benefits for Employers

• Shape the quality of your future workforce
• Recruit potential employees
• Access clear direction through DWD-created skills-based checklists
• Communicate job-specific proficiencies to educational personnel
• Build greater employee loyalty and lower turnover
• Donate back to your schools' CTE programs

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CESA 8 YA Handbook