Youth Apprenticeship

Explore Careers with Youth Apprenticeship

Take your high school experience to the next level with the Youth Apprenticeship program! This dynamic opportunity for juniors and seniors combines academic learning with hands-on, real-world experience.

Over one or two years, you’ll develop in-demand skills through a mix of technical classroom instruction and mentored, on-the-job training—all designed to prepare you for success in today’s workforce.

Our partnerships with businesses and post-secondary institutions ensure you’re learning directly from industry leaders while earning a valuable Youth Apprenticeship certificate.

Preparation for the program can start as early as Freshman Year! See the Applying for Youth Apprenticeship section for more information.

_{Please note that application to the Youth Apprenticeship program does not guarantee job placement. Full participation in the program and the ability to earn the Youth Apprenticeship certificate requires successful completion of job-skills tasks, related technical classroom instruction, in addition to other school-related components.}

Youth Apprenticeships Available by Industry

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Explore careers in the agriculture and natural resources industry.

Architecture and Construction

Explore careers in the architecture and construction industry.

Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications

Explore careers in the arts, A/V technology, and communications industry.

Business Management and Administration

Explore careers in the business management and administration industry.

Backpack on floor and student sitting in chair

Education and Training

Explore careers in the education and training industry.

Program Partnerships & Student Employers

Youth Apprenticeship Programs

Program Partnerships

Associated Builders and Contractors
City of Madison
Dane County School Consortium
Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
Madison Area Technical College
Madison Public Schools Foundation
NARI
Promega
University of Wisconsin - Madison
UW Health
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin

Student Employers

ABS Global
Artisan Dental
Avalon Assisted Living
Bock Water Heaters
Central WI Center
City of Madison - Fleet Service
Dave Jones
Dickenson Manufacturing
Don Miller Subaru
Elements Massage
Findorff
Gates Auto Body
Genomics
Harmony Living Centers
Hooper Inc.
Isthmus Engineering
Jon Lancaster
JX Trucking
Kriete Trucking
Lake Ridge Bank
Madison Computer Works
Madison Veterinary Specialists
Oak Park Place
One Community Bank
Pieper Power
Promega
Smart Motors Toyota
SSM
Summit Credit Union
UW Health
UW Madison - Housing
UW Veterinary Clinic
Walgreens
West Town Monona Tire
Westphal
Willow Pointe Assisted Living
Zimbrick Honda
Zimbrick Honda Service Center
Zimbrick VW/Acura

Application Process for Youth Apprenticeship

Awareness

Information Sessions are the first step for students and families to learn about the program and the many components to it. There are two “types” of information sessions that are held to provide information and resources to students and families throughout the year. Freshman through Juniors are invited to attend.

In-School Info Session (Student Focused)

Information Sessions are held throughout the school year at the MMSD high schools so students have the opportunity to learn about the program and school-specific information.

Students are required to attend an information session in order to move forward in the application process.

Student Info Session Registration Form

DCSC Information Nights (Families Focused)

These information sessions are held with a family focus to help both parents/guardians and students learn about the major components of the program. These sessions are held in the spring every year, and are run by our partner, the Dane County Schools Consortium.

Please know that every school district has different expectations for students to participate in the program to ensure student preparedness and success, so we encourage you to connect with MMSD’s Work-Based Learning Coordinator if there are additional questions about MMSD’s process.

_{Please note that MMSD students are required to attend an in-school information session in order to move forward in the application process.}

Annie Johnston
MMSD Work-Based Learning Coordinator
ajohnston2@madison.k12.wi.us

DCSC Information Nights Registration Information

January 21, 2025 - Virtual
6:30pm - 8:00pm

Join Virtual Session

February 12, 2025 - In Person
LaFollette High School
6:30pm - 8:00pm

March 3, 2025 - Virtual
6:30pm - 8:00pm

Join Virtual Session

Preparation

There are many ways for a student to gain experience in the industry they are looking to explore. Starting as early as Freshman Year, students are able to take classes, participate in hands-on learning, and get ready for their Junior and/or Senior Year YA Experience.

MMSD offers workshops for students to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the program. These are offered throughout the school year, and are geared towards helping students explore and build both their soft skills and industry knowledge. Students are expected to attend three offered workshops.

Career Exploration

Students will identify their current skill sets, identify areas of growth, and create next steps for themselves based off of their own discoveries. Students will also identify related courses they could take either as preparation or as related coursework for the program.

Professionalism and Communication

This two-part workshop promotes professional communication, interview skills, and general knowledge and insight around how to get and keep a job. Mock interviews are held in the second session to help students practice their skills.

Resume Writing

Students will learn about resumes and create their own with the experiences, skills, and other tools built through the other workshops. Students will highlight industry-related skills and experiences and resumes are tailored to the industry the student is wanting to explore through the YA program.

Exploration

In February, students in their Sophomore and/or Junior year will complete the formal Youth Apprenticeship Application and will be scheduled for an Intake Interview.

Intake Interviews are held twice a year in the spring and are meant to identify students who have done sufficient preparation and are ready for the YA Program. Those not yet ready will be given feedback and will continue to participate in preparation workshops and once ready, they are able to move on to the next step.

Once Ready, students will actively look for employment. Students will have access to a Youth Apprenticeship-specific job board and will be given many opportunities through job fairs and other connections for them to interview with a company hiring in their industry area.

Students are expected to follow the company’s interview process and employment is not guaranteed. If a student does not get hired by a company, students will review the interview with their YA Coordinator and make any needed adjustments prior to the next interview.

Hired

Once a student has been hired - they get to start working! The soonest a student is able to work is June of the year they applied. Sometimes the hiring process takes longer, but most students should start work by the time Fall Semester of the following school year starts.

Students, their parent/guardian, employer, and School Coordinator meet after hire to enroll the student with the State of Wisconsin. After, students are expected to participate in monthly check-ins, workshops, and evaluations.

Interested in the Youth Apprenticeship Program?

If you are interested in learning more about the Youth Apprenticeship program but are not ready (or old enough) to apply, please complete the interest form and someone will contact you to discuss your questions.

Youth Apprenticeship Interest From

Program Contact:

Annie Johnston
Work-Based Learning Coordinator
ajohnston2@madison.k12.wi.us

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