Youth Apprenticeships

Youth Apprenticeship at WCTC

The Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program is a rigorous one- or two-year program for high school juniors and seniors that combines academic and technical classroom instruction with paid work experience, giving you a head start on your career and developing a skilled and committed workforce for employers.

Waukesha County School-to-Career Consortium initiatives are funded in part with support from the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Grant.

Contact Information

Katie Meissner, Coordinator

How to Get Started

Explore Your Options

Review the six steps to becoming a youth apprentice, then contact Katie Meissner or your high school's YA School Site Coordinator.

Complete Forms

Complete the Student Registration Form and Education/Training Agreement with your high school's YA School Site Coordinator and employer.

As a youth apprentice, you will:

Receive occupation-related instruction and on-the-job training as part of your regular high school schedule
Be paired with a workplace mentor
Be exposed to all facets of an industry
Develop the skills you need to succeed after graduation

After you successfully complete your apprenticeship, you’ll receive a state-issued skills certificate recognizing your career-related work experience. You may also continue on to complete a registered apprenticeship through a partnership between participating employers and WCTC.

To participate in the YA program, you must be:

Enrolled in a public or private secondary school or other approved program which is part of the Waukesha County School-to-Career Youth Apprenticeship partnership or other YA Consortium.
In your junior or senior year of high school (you may begin your apprenticeship as early as the summer before junior year).
Likely to graduate at the end of your senior year.
Have participated in career exploration, guidance and/or education activities which allow you to make an informed choice.
Interested in hands-on, career-based learning.

Youth Apprenticeship Pathways

Career clusters are broad groupings that serve as a tool to categorize common knowledge and skill sets needed for specific occupations. These career clusters consist of a variety of career pathways that provide students an opportunity to explore their interests. Youth Apprenticeship offers several career pathways under each cluster to pursue. The options may vary depending on the offerings for your local area.

Explore Career Clusters

Employer Benefits

Establish a pipeline within your community by creating lasting positive relationships with area high schools
Build a more loyal and dedicated workforce, and reduce turnover
Increase safety by implementing State guidelines reinforced by the YA program
Gain a more knowledgeable workforce and increase productivity

Contact Katie Meissner or a YA School Site Coordinator from one of our partner schools (listed below). Be prepared to share a job posting, establish an appropriate mentor and complete the necessary forms to get started.