Youth Apprenticeships

The Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program is a rigorous one- or two-year elective statewide program that combines academic and technical instruction with mentored, paid, on-the-job learning that makes a real world connection for students.

Youth Apprentices work a minimum of 450 hours at their YA worksite each year of their program and take related high school or college classes to enhance their worksite experiences.

High school juniors and seniors from participating North Central Wisconsin School-to-Career Partnership schools are eligible to participate.

Benefits of Youth Apprenticeship

There are several benefits associated with participating in the Youth Apprenticeship program, including: earning a paycheck while learning from skilled professionals, receiving high school elective credit, potentially earning college credit through Credit for Prior Learning opportunities, and receiving a state-issued skills certificate, which is recognized by employers and colleges.

Why I Apprentice

Brenden Rohland is an alumni Youth Apprentice that participated in the Architecture & Construction - Electrical program. While in the Youth Apprenticeship program, he participated in a national competition called “Why I Apprentice”. As part of the competition, Youth Apprentices across the country were asked “Why do you apprentice?” and they were required to create and submit a video that summarized their experience. Listen to what Brenden had to say!

Brenden Rohland stands in a room full of tools, explaining the benefits of a youth apprenticeship.

Hear From Our Youth Apprentices

The Youth Apprenticeship program provides high school juniors and seniors a chance to explore and get a jump start on their future career. Hear from students who participated in the program and experienced first-hand how the program has impacted their life and future career.

Bryn Schroeder and Abigail Dhein, Youth Apprentices

Bryn Schroeder and Abigail Dhein, Early Childhood Education Youth Apprentices

Bryn Schroeder and Abigail Dhein, students from Mosinee HS have benefited from the Early Childhood Education Pathway, a new pathway that was introduced to the YA program this year. Abigail has gained more confidence during her participation, while Bryn believes the program has effectively prepared her for future careers by helping her balance school, work, and other aspects of life.

Dan’l Sullivan, Phlebotomy Youth Apprentice

Dan’l has had a very positive experience in the phlebotomy YA program and has taken what he learned in the phlebotomy certificate program at NTC and connected it to real-life experience at Wausau Aspirus Hospital. In the process, he expanded his communication skills through patient contact and interactions with other healthcare professionals. This YA experience not only has prepared Dan’l for success after graduation but will also help him on his journey in the health pathway.

Kasey Woolley, Architecture and Construction Youth Apprentice

Kasey Woolley is a carpentry Youth Apprentice (YA) at Findorff Construction. Currently, she’s working on a large project in the Plover area, helping build a children’s museum. Her experience has allowed her to work with a number of subcontractors and explore many different career opportunities. She’s also excited that this project has “allowed her to help the community.” In addition to learning more about the construction industry, Kasey has narrowed down a career path for her future.

Malachai Anderson, Marketing: Professional Sales and Merchandising Youth Apprentice

Malachai Anderson is a Marketing: Professional Sales and Merchandising Youth Apprentice working at Northside Computers. He enjoyed his experience so much, he actually bought the company! The YA program allowed Malachai to find a way to explore his passion for computers and really clarify what he wants to do professionally.

Piper Pietrowski, Manufacturing Youth Apprentice

Piper Pietrowski worked for her father’s business, Rib Falls Fabrication, as a Manufacturing Youth Apprentice growing her skills in the area of welding. Upon completion of her YA program, she realized that she wants to take over her father’s business in the future and the goals are limitless.

Jacob Wendorf, Architecture & Construction Youth Apprentice

Jacob began his Youth Apprenticeship experience working for Elite Electrical, and then after high school graduation, was offered an opportunity at Newton Electric, where he is currently employed. Jacob was able to bring his experience and knowledge from the Youth Apprenticeship program in to his position at Newton Electric and will soon be starting his Registered Apprenticeship program as well.

Abbygail Oertel, Transportation Youth Apprentice

As a Transportation Youth Apprentice, Abbygail Oertel has not only found her career passion working at a local automotive business, but she has also found her work family.

Alex Erickson, Information Technology Youth Apprentice

Alex Erickson is an alumni Youth Apprentice who participated in the Information Technology program. Alex worked as a Youth Apprentice for his school district, but upon high school graduation was selected for the IT Scholars Program through Church Mutual Insurance Company. Alex continues to work for Church Mutual Insurance Company on their IT support team.

Connor Knezic stands in front of an entrance to the NTC Wausau campus

Connor Knezic, Marketing Youth Apprentice

Connor Knezic currently participates in the Marketing Youth Apprenticeship program with a local manufacturing company. Connor hopes to pursue a degree in Business and his YA experience is providing him a jump start on his career.

Hudson Meverden, Manufacturing Youth Apprentice

Hudson Meverden is an alumni Youth Apprentice who participated in the Manufacturing program as a Maintenance Technician. While participating in the Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program, Hudson also completed the Welding Academy at NTC.

Kayley McColley stands in front of an entrance to the NTC Wausau campus

Kayley McColley, Nursing Assistant Youth Apprentice

Kayley McColley is an alumni Youth Apprentice that participated in the Health program as a Nursing Assistant. Her experience as a Youth Apprentice gave her the confidence and reassurance that Nursing was the career she wanted to pursue.

Youth Apprenticeship Programs

Youth Apprenticeship programs are available in the following categories:

Participate in Youth Apprenticeship

Midway through your sophomore or junior year, contact the Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator at your high school and they will work with NTC to help you complete your Youth Apprenticeship application portfolio so that you can get started.

Youth Apprenticeship Contacts

School	Contact Person	Email Address
Abbotsford	Nicole Kloth den Otter	nklothdenotter@abbotsford.k12.wi.us
Antigo	Joanie Fisher	jfisher@antigoschools.org
Athens	Michelle Murkowski	mmurkowski@athens1.org
Bowler	Abby Behnke	abbybehnke@bowler.k12.wi.us
Chequamegon	Kelly Inman-Patterson	kinman@csdk12.net
Colby	Chrisie Wright Monica Dukelow	cwright@colby.k12.wi.us mdukelow@colby.k12.wi.us
D.C. Everest	Aaron Hoffman Manee Yang-Vongphakdy	ahoffman@dce.k12.wi.us myangvongphakdy@dce.k12.wi.us
D.C. Everest Idea School	Kendra Gilbertson Roxie Brecke	kgilbertson@dce.k12.wi.us rbrecke@dce.k12.wi.us
Edgar	Kris Federwitz	kfederwitz@gapps.edgar.k12.wi.us
EEA Learning Academy	Jean Abreu	jabreu@wausauschools.org
Faith Christian Academy	Jessica Mehl Jane Bosi	jessicamehl@faithca.org janebosi@faithca.org
Marathon	Ryan Winkler	rwinkler@marathon.k12.wi.us
Medford	Barb Gelhaus	gelhaba@medford.k12.wi.us
Mosinee	Sue Swinick	sswinick@mosineeschools.org
Newman Catholic	Gloria Baecker	gbaecker@newmancatholicschools.com
NTC Alternative High School	Derek Yirkovsky	yirkovskyd@ntc.edu
Northland Lutheran	Andrea Stelter	astelter@nlhs.org
Phillips	Nikki Sidenbender	nsidenbender@phillips.k12.wi.us
Prentice	Kati Isaacson	isaakat@prentice.k12.wi.us
Rib Lake	Michelle Rhodes	mrhodes@riblake.k12.wi.us
Rural Virtual Academy	Megan LaMarch	megan.lamarch@ruralvirtual.org
Spencer	Heidi Brostowitz	hbrostowitz@spencer.k12.wi.us
Stratford	Marshall Lehman	malehman@gapps.stratford.k12.wi.us
Wausau Area Virtual Education (WAVE)	Heather Rasmussen	hrasmussen@wausauschools.org
Wausau East	Elizabeth Zastrow	ezastrow@wausauschools.org
Wausau West	Taryn Fuller	tfuller@wausauschools.org
White Lake	Heather Gryboski	hgryboski@whitelake.k12.wi.us
Wittenberg-Birnamwood	Chris Nier	cnier@wittbirn.k12.wi.us

Resources for School-Based Coordinators

Information and resources for school-based coordinators interested in or currently participating in the Youth Apprenticeship program.

Resources for Employers

Information and resources for employers interested in or currently participating in the Youth Apprenticeship program.