MV Youth Apprenticeship

Youth Apprenticeship (YA) integrates school-based and work-based learning to instruct students in employability and occupational skills defined by Wisconsin industries. Local programs provide training based on statewide youth apprenticeship curriculum guidelines, endorsed by business and industry. Students are instructed by qualified teachers and skilled worksite mentors. Students are simultaneously enrolled in academic classes to meet high school graduation requirements, in a youth apprenticeship related instruction class, and are employed by a participating employer under the supervision of a skilled mentor.

Program Framework
Key elements of the youth apprenticeship program are:

• Industry-developed skill standards
• Exposure to multiple aspects of the industry
• Skilled mentors assigned to train the students
• Paid on-the-job work experience
• Related classroom instruction concurrent with work-based learning
• Curriculum guidelines for all programs
• Performance evaluation of demonstrated competencies
• State-issued skill certificate

CESA #4 serves as the regional coordination site for the Mississippi Valley Youth Apprenticeship Consortium.

A Regional Coordinator will be employed by CESA #4 to:

• Serve as the program liaison with the Youth Apprenticeship School Based Coordinators to develop, design, implement, and administer this program
• Meet with Youth Apprenticeship School Based Coordinators on a regular basis to review progress of program growth and address program concerns
• Arrange for mentor training and assist in matching students with mentors
• Prepare and submit required forms and reports to DWD
• Attend statewide coordinator planning, informational meetings, and training sessions
• Arrange for youth apprenticeship related instruction including negotiating costs, when needed
• Prepare grant proposals to secure funding
• Secure and coordinate additional program funding resources
• Oversee program grants and funds to ensure timely expenditures
• Assess community businesses for interest in new program areas
• Plan and develop new youth apprenticeship program areas
• Implement and direct local steering committee efforts to promote program

50% of Grant funds will be used to support Regional Coordination at the CESA level. Remaining funds will be allocated to local districts based on the annual per-student award from the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Youth Apprenticeship Office.

• Students can participate in one-year or two-year programs, depending on their chosen area of focus.
• YA funds return to the district to support local YA Coordinators and/or YA instruction.
• Students earn credit toward high school graduation as well as credit in post-secondary programs.

Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship program is a part of a statewide School-to-Work initiative. It is designed for high school students who want hands-on learning in an occupational area at a worksite along with classroom instruction.

This one or two year elective program combines academic and technical instruction with mentored on-the-job learning.

A mentor is a an older, more experienced person who seeks to further the development of character and competence in a younger person by guiding the latter in acquiring mastery of progressively more complex skills and tasks in which the mentor is already proficient. The guidance is accomplished though demonstration, instruction, challenge, and encouragement on a more or less regular basis over an extended period of time. In the course of this process, the mentor and the young person develop a special bond of mutual commitment. In addition, the younger person's relationship to the mentor takes on an emotional character of respect, loyalty, and identification.

Program Areas Available:

Youth Apprenticeship programming is unique to each school district. For specifics on the YA programs offered in your school district, contact the YA coordinator listed below.
 

2022-23 School Districts/Contacts in the Mississippi Valley YA Consortium

Alma
Josh Reed, H.S. Principal
Alma High School
jreed@alma.k12.wi.us

Bangor
Hannah Schulz, Counselor
Bangor High School
hschulz@bangorsd.net

Black River Falls
Ryan Johnson, Business Ed/Career Coor.
Black River Falls High School
ryan.johnson@brf.org

Cashton
Greg Stritchko, Counselor
Cashton High School
stritchkog@cashton.k12.wi.us

Hillsboro
Kelli Sullivan, Counselor
Hillsboro High School
kelli.sullivan@hillsboroschools.org

Holmen
Lindsey Seipp, Career Counselor
Holmen High School
seilin@holmen.k12.wi.us

Melrose-Mindoro
Jim Briggs, Technology Ed
Melrose-Mindoro High School
briggs@mel-min.k12.wi.us

Viroqua
Heidi Hubatch, CTE Coordinator
Viroqua High School
hubhei@viroqua.k12.wi.us

Jason Holter, Business Ed
West Salem High School
holter.jason@wsalem.k12.wi.us

Wonewoc-Union Center
Jackie Miller, CTE Coordinator
Wonewoc High School
milljac@wc.k12.wi.us