Blog right triangle Building the Future: Why Schools Should Embrace Youth Apprenticeships
Education | Future of Work |

Building the Future: Why Schools Should Embrace Youth Apprenticeships

By Adam Vitcavage

Imagine having a team of young, motivated students who are not only eager to learn but are also actively contributing to your district’s technical infrastructure. This isn’t just a future vision—it’s happening now at Colorado Springs School District 11. Thanks to a youth apprenticeship program launched under the leadership of Christa Ross, Director of Technical Services, high school students are stepping up, proving they can handle real-world responsibilities, all while preparing themselves for thriving careers in tech.

In December 2022, Christa Ross transitioned from nearly two decades in the classroom to a leadership role, overseeing the technical services at District 11. With her background in education, Ross knew the potential students had to excel beyond the classroom. This belief sparked a youth apprenticeship initiative that launched in January 2024, aimed at equipping students with hands-on IT skills while still attending high school.

“We have apprentices from the same high school, and after a semester, they go wherever they are needed across our 54 schools,” Ross explains. These apprentices aren’t just shadowing—they are doing everything from power-washing Chromebooks over the summer to preparing iPads and offering Tier 1 tech support. They are truly becoming a “jack of all trades,” learning the ins and outs of tech support in a way that classroom instruction alone could never offer.

A Perfect Balance of Professionalism and Passion

Christa Ross couldn’t be prouder of the students in the program. “They are the perfect mix of being real attentive and strong learners, but they are also self-starters. They aren’t a bull in a china shop—they are careful, learn quickly, and don’t need to be handheld. They want to learn their job and learn it well. Our students have both strong technical skills and a friendly, customer-service-focused mindset, which is a rare combination.”

These high school students don’t just stop at basic tech support. Ross is already transitioning them into full IT apprenticeships, where they’ll soon be shadowing programmers, network engineers, and repair teams. “We want them to graduate high school with a resume that’s beefed up and ready to go,” she adds. In fact, these apprentices are on track to earn CompTIA and Security+ certifications—credentials that typically require years of training beyond high school.

Building the Workforce of Tomorrow

Apprenticeships offer students a unique advantage: they get paid, hands-on experience while still earning credits toward graduation. It’s a winning formula that sets them up for future success, whether they choose to enter the workforce right after high school or continue their education. But it’s not just the students who benefit. “Hiring apprentices has freed up our full-time staff to pursue higher-level tasks, training, and professional development,” Ross explains. With apprentices handling Tier 1 support, the district’s seasoned professionals can focus on strategic initiatives like building AI-powered troubleshooting tools for teachers.

Why Youth Apprenticeships Are a Must for Every School

For Christa Ross and her team, the apprenticeship program has been a game-changer. “At first, there was hesitation about hiring 16-year-olds to take on technical roles. But once my staff saw how capable these students were, the conversation shifted. Now they’re asking me to give the apprentices more responsibilities!”

District 11’s apprenticeship program isn’t just about filling immediate staffing needs—it’s about investing in the future. “We want to make sure our students are ready for life after high school. Graduating with real-life experience and a solid resume gives them a boost, setting them up for success in whatever path they choose.” And for the district, having these apprentices grow within their ecosystem means they can develop a highly skilled, homegrown workforce that understands the unique needs of the community.

If you’re a school district interested in starting your own youth apprenticeship program, don’t hesitate to reach out. The future of your workforce—and your students—could be just one apprenticeship away.