Youth Apprenticeship

Not at all! Think of YA as a "both/and" opportunity. Many of our students use their apprenticeship experience to get into competitive college programs, and some even earn college credits while still in high school. It’s a powerful way to build a resume that stands out to admissions officers.
 

We work closely with your student’s guidance counselor to ensure students stay on track for graduation. Typically, students have 2-4 periods of release time added to their schedule to work, depending on what courses they need and when their worksite needs them.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the worksite. We encourage families to discuss transportation plans early in the application process.

Safety is a collaborative effort. While employers provide the specific safety training required for their workplace, the MMSD Youth Apprenticeship team provides a layer of professional support:

• Mentor Training: We train site supervisors on how to effectively lead and protect high school students.
• Active Coordination: Your YA Coordinator works directly with supervisors to ensure the role is a "best fit" and to proactively navigate any issues.
• Regular Evaluations: We conduct scheduled check-ins to ensure students are working in a safe environment and meeting their learning goals.
• Insurance: As paid employees, students are covered by the employer’s worker’s compensation insurance.

While we provide the training, the workshops, and the connections to employers, students must still "win" the job through a professional interview process. This real-world experience is part of what makes the program so valuable!

All Youth Apprentices are paid at least the state minimum wage, though many of our business partners pay more based on the industry and the student's experience. Typically students earn on average $15/hr, but this varies greatly depending on the industry and company they are working in.