Give Students a Career Jumpstart
A Youth Apprenticeship lets high school students to gain hands-on work experience while still in school. This training program combines academic and technical classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training. Students, typically in their junior and senior years, earn a wage, gain valuable job skills, and often receive both high school and college credit simultaneously. This model creates a direct path to a full-time job, a Registered Apprenticeship, or a post-secondary education after graduation.
What does a successful program include?
Paid On-the-Job Learning
Apprentices are paid from day one and receive hands-on training under the guidance of a skilled employee mentor. This allows them to earn a wage while developing practical skills.
Integrated Classroom Instruction
The program combines work experience with related academic and technical instruction, ensuring students understand the theory behind their work. This instruction often leads to high school and college credit.
Industry-Recognized Credentials
Upon completion, the apprentice receives a portable, industry-recognized credential and, in many cases, post-secondary credit. This validates their skills and provides a direct pathway to a career or further education
Strong Partnerships
Successful youth apprenticeships are built on close collaboration between employers, schools, and other community partners to ensure the program meets the needs of both students and the local job market.
Partner with Us in the Youth Apprenticeship Movement
The Youth Apprenticeship program is a strategic solution for South Dakota, creating a highly skilled, technologically competitive workforce while preparing students for a successful future.
For Employers & Sponsors: This is your opportunity to build a talent pipeline from the ground up. By providing hands-on learning experiences, you can help shape a workforce with the specific skills your business needs. It’s an instant, no-waiting solution for building your future team.
For High Schools: Partner with us to provide students with a direct path to a high-demand career. Students can remain enrolled in academic classes while gaining meaningful work experience, ensuring they graduate career and college ready.
To get involved and learn how you can benefit from this job training program, click the links below.
The employer is at the core of the youth apprenticeship, acting as the primary trainer and mentor. They are responsible for providing the paid, on-the-job training that allows the student to gain practical skills. This includes defining a clear work process, providing a safe working environment, and assigning a skilled mentor to guide the student. The employer also offers a job and a career pathway to the apprentice upon successful completion of the program.
The high school’s role is to support the student’s academic and career-related success. They align the youth apprenticeship with the student’s graduation requirements and ensure the work-based learning is complemented by related classroom instruction. High schools also provide essential student support services, such as academic advising, career counseling, and assistance with logistics to help the student balance their schoolwork and job responsibilities.
Educators, including teachers and counselors, are key facilitators in the youth apprenticeship. They work with both the employer and the student to ensure the curriculum is relevant and integrated with the on-the-job training. Educators help students identify career interests, develop foundational skills, and navigate the application process. They also serve as a crucial point of contact, ensuring the student’s success by communicating regularly with the employer and the family.