CareerWise modern youth apprentices split their time between their traditional high school classroom and the workplace. They earn a wage while receiving hands-on work experience where they can apply their classroom learning. By the conclusion of the program, students will have:

• meaningful work experience
• a nationally recognized industry certification
• a professional network 
• the opportunity to earn debt-free college credit

The CareerWise model is mutually beneficial for both apprentices and employers. Hiring apprentices is a dynamic investment in your company and workforce, and businesses receive:

• a productive employee; apprentices are a true team member doing meaningful work 
• a talent pipeline of skilled, diverse workers that innovate the workforce
• a valuable connection to the community
• more leadership and growth opportunities for existing staff

THE TIMELINE

Students apply with the hiring companies on the spring semester for positions that begin the summer before their junior year. It’s a competitive hiring process, just like any other professional position. Businesses select the apprentices that are the best fit for their organizations and open positions; there are no forced placements. Once hired, apprentices spend part of their week learning at school and part of the week learning on the job.

Employers can select either a two-year or three-year model. Both models ultimately deliver the same benefits to employers, with the two-year model providing a faster train-to-hire for companies that are confident in their internal talent development infrastructure, and a longer runway to work with CareerWise for those companies newer to internal early-career training.

COMPETENCY-BASED LEARNING 

CareerWise works with the school districts to create the framework for an applied-learning environment that meets district standards, recruit students, ensure apprentice work and school schedules are optimized, and acts as an intermediary to ensure a streamlined experience.

And, CareerWise works with industry to create career competencies so apprentices can be certain that the skills they’re developing are in-demand and set them up for future success. Because youth apprenticeship is a new concept in the United States, CareerWise also works with employers to train supervisors and mentors, as well as with the apprentices themselves to prepare them for success in a professional work environment.