CESA 8 Youth Apprenticeship Program

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.

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

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
  • DWD funding to help offset program costs
  • Completed certificates qualify for additional CTE Incentive Grant funding

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