What Is a Youth Apprenticeship Program?

What if you could jumpstart your career while still in high school? That’s what a youth apprenticeship is all about — combining paid job training, real work experience, and classroom learning.

Typically open to high school juniors and seniors, these programs give you a head start on an in-demand career while you’re still in school. Ready to explore how a youth apprenticeship can shape your future? Let’s discover how a youth apprenticeship can set you on the path to a rewarding career.

Definition of Youth Apprentice

A youth apprentice is a student who begins learning a trade or skill while still in high school through a youth apprenticeship program. Starting as early as 16 years old, youth apprentices gain hands-on experience under the guidance of skilled mentors, combining real-world training with their education. Across the U.S., nearly 600,000 apprentices are getting valuable skills training, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

How Youth Apprenticeships Work

To define a youth apprenticeship, it’s important to understand that quality local companies are looking to hire and train their next generation of leaders. Each year, they eagerly search for bright, motivated young people to step in and step up. 

These reputable businesses provide youth apprentices with a paycheck while they teach them hands-on skills. Apprentices benefit from periodic wage increases throughout the program. 

Additionally, youth apprenticeship providers often partner with local colleges to help students work toward a college degree or nationally recognized industry credential, which is offered at no cost to the apprentice.

Want to get paid while gaining real-world experience through a youth apprenticeship?

Take the first step toward a career in a high-demand field and earn while you learn.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Youth Apprenticeships

Now that you’re familiar with the basics of youth apprenticeships, what it means to be a youth apprentice, and the benefits these programs offer, here are a few more details you might find interesting.

Apprenticeship lengths vary by program and employer. One apprenticeship example, for instance, is Guilford Apprenticeship Partners, where apprentices typically take part in four years of paid on-the-job training and complete free college classes to earn an associate degree.

An associate degree is awarded after completion of a 2-year college program, often earned over the course of a 4-year apprenticeship program. In many apprenticeship programs, apprentices take classes, often at the community college level, to work toward an associate degree while they’re gaining hands-on training in their field of study.

On the other hand, once you’ve completed an apprenticeship program, earned your credentials, and are able to work without supervision, you are considered a journeyman or journey worker. In some cases, journeymen may complete additional certification testing to set themselves apart in their industry. This could be in addition to earning an associate degree.

Here’s a list of trades and apprenticeships you might consider:

  • Accounting
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Automotive Repair
  • Electrical
  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
  • Information technology
  • Supply chain logistics
  • Pharmacy Tech
  • Mechatronics
  • Learn about other career pathways

Registered youth apprenticeship programs are approved by a state apprenticeship agency or the U.S. Department of Labor and align with industry standards. Additionally, many states also have organizations that support registered youth apprenticeship programs, such as ApprenticeshipNC in North Carolina.

Did you know? According to the federal organization ApprenticeshipUSA, 93% of apprentices who complete a registered apprenticeship program get a job averaging $77,000 annually.

  • Equivalent of a college scholarship
  • Zero student loan debt for a college degree
  • Earn a paycheck while you learn in-demand skills
  • Opportunity to jump-start your career in high school
  • Training in nearly recession-proof industries
  • Ability to make an impact in your community
  • Personal and industry connections that can last a lifetime

Find the Right Youth Apprenticeship for You

If you’re near Guilford County, North Carolina, discover your career path toward paid work experience and tuition-free college.

Explore Guilford Apprenticeship Partners Career Pathways to learn more!

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