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Youth Apprenticeship: Employers

Youth Apprenticeship Employer Handbook - NEWLY RELEASED!

In 2024, the Eau Claire Area Youth Apprenticeship Consortium released a new resource for new and existing Youth Apprenticeship Employers. We encourage you to take a look for what Youth Apprenticeship could look like at your organization!

Benefits for Employers

Meeting business needs: Prepare the next generation of workers for your industry and business!
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The YA Program has been connecting employers with high school student talent for over 25 years, creating a scalable and successful program with input from industry. Employers extend permanent job offers to more than 75 percent of the graduating youth apprentices annually, making YA an excellent pipeline for recruiting and retaining loyal, well-trained talent. Employers continually report a high level of satisfaction, and cite these program benefits:

  • Increase visibility of employer's industry / business.
  • Access to young workers who are eager to learn and have interest in the profession.
  • Quality, prescreened youth apprentices who receive ongoing support during their apprenticeship.
  • A method to address future hiring needs in a cost-effective and timely manner.
  • Opportunity to prepare future workers.
  • Opening to help educational personnel develop job-specific proficiencies.
  • Chance to become involved with worksite curriculum.
  • The chance to shape the skills, expectations and habits of youth apprentices at a young age.

Employer Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of YA employers:

  • Participate in mentor training session
  • Interview and hire YA student(s)
  • Provide on the job training to YA student(s)
  • Pay YA student(s) at least minimum wage
  • Participate in regular Progress Reviews with youth apprentice(s) at least 3 times per year
  • Ensure 450 hours per year of worksite training/work hours
  • Comply with employment of minors (a.k.a. child labor) laws

Employer Requirements

The work-based learning component of the YA Program is designed to provide an on-the-job learning environment for students by being "apprenticed" to an experienced mentor.

As with all apprenticeship programs, the work-based learning component is the primary method for teaching the required competencies, the local business becomes an extension of the classroom for the YA student. The required Related Technical classroom instruction is intended to support the work-based learning experience by providing theoretical knowledge and, when needed, providing appropriate skill development.

Interested?

​If you have any questions regarding the YA process, becoming a YA Employer, etc. contact a YA coordinator:

More Information on Becoming a YA Employer
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