What is the Youth Apprenticeship(YA) program?
Wisconsin’s YA program is an educational initiative which opens doors to most private and all public high school students to more fully develop their potential in life. The program combines school and work-based learning to develop students with stronger skills, whether the student plans to go directly into the workforce or enroll at a technical college or university. This intensive elective program provides graduates with a state recognized skill certificate, high school graduation credits, and up to 12 credits in technical college occupational programs. How does YA work? The YA program allows students, as sophomores or juniors, to make application to be selected to complete their junior and senior years differently than traditional high school students. As a youth apprentice, a high school student may attend their high school only half-days for their required academic instruction. They are released one or two half-days or one to two evenings per week to study occupational coursework.
