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Ozaukee Youth Apprenticeships

Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeships integrate school-based and work-based learning to provide students in their junior and senior years with academic and occupational skills leading to both a high school diploma and a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency in a specific industry.  The one and two-year apprenticeships prepare students for a number of post-secondary options:
 

  •         Entering the workforce directly from high school

  •         Transitioning to a registered apprenticeship 

  •         Enrolling in a technical college or a university in an occupationally related degree program. 
     

Each student works in partnership with an employer-identified mentor, specialized classroom instructor and a high school apprenticeship coordinator to receive the best skills and knowledge possible. 

The apprenticeship requires that students work a minimum of 450 hours to complete a one-year apprenticeship and 900 hours to complete a two-year program.  Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, students are awarded a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. 

Graduates may be eligible to receive advanced standing and/or transcripted credit at a local technical college or credit toward the admission requirements for the University of Wisconsin system (in selected programs). 

Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeships are a great way for career motivated students to experience the real world of a chosen career field. 

Youth ApprenticeshipTimeline

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Student Planning - August to December - Students meet with their guidance counselor to develop or review their four-year plan and make adjustments to include related courses required for the Youth Apprenticeship program area of choice.  Students are encouraged to meet with a Youth Apprenticeship coordinator and/or CTE instructor(s) and also attend parent/student information meetings regarding Youth Apprenticeship. 
 

Student Invitations - During the fall semester - Invitations are sent to all sophomore students and their parents regarding applying for a Youth Apprenticeship.

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Youth Apprenticeship "Information Night -  DecemberStudents and parents learn about the process of applying for a Youth Apprenticeship and subsequent steps for the opportunity to interview, be hired and complete a Youth Apprenticeship.  Students have an opportunity to meet employers in attendance and learn about their companies and its products/services as well as their expectations for Youth Apprenticeship. 

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Youth Apprenticeship Application Submission - YA applications are due to high school Youth Apprenticeship Coordinators in March of each year. Use the online application or make sure to write legibly so your application is readable.  First impressions count.  Your YA application is your first impression for many employers.  Use proper punctuation and grammar.

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When explaining your long-term goals, to the best of your ability be specific and complete a complete application includes:
 

  • Sections 1, 2 & 3 of the OYA application (including ALL required signatures and dates). 
    CNA candidates must complete Section 4 as well)

  • Three recommendations from teachers, counselors or past employers

  • Your school transcript

  • Your school attendance record

  • Your class schedule for the next school year
     

OYA applications - YA Applications due: February 1st, 2024, OYA your high school coordinator.

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Ozaukee Youth Apprentice High School Coordinators:
 

    Cedarburg HS - Carolyn McNerney, Associate Principal                          Grafton HS - Greg Johnson, Guidance Counselor

    Homestead HS - Matt Wolf, Academic & Career Planning Coord.            Ozaukee HS - John Odenwald, Business Ed. Dept. Chair

    Port Washington HS - Rachel Biertzer, Principal                                       

    

Employers request student applications from Ozaukee Youth Apprenticeship – Students' YA applications are sent to employers requesting them.  Employers will contact students directly and inform OYA of the students they choose to interview as well as the dates and times of the interviews.  Students should also inform OYA of interviews they have scheduled with employers.
 

Youth Apprenticeship Interview Training – March - Students receive training in resume preparation, interviewing skills, etiquette, and appropriate dress. Q&A with YA employers present.

Youth Apprentice Placement – The Youth Apprenticeship Consortium Coordinators will assist in facilitating interviews for students with employers in their chosen program area(s).  Students are encouraged to research and contact employers on their own to obtain interviews as well.  If a student is already working at an employer that could offer a Youth Apprenticeship they should let OYA know so the employer can be contacted about participation in the YA program.

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Employment Interviews – Students will meet and interview with an employer(s) and discuss work opportunities and expectations.  Employers will choose an apprentice(s) based on their need and students’ interview performance.

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Letter of Intent to Hire – Once employers have made their choices regarding students they wish to hire, they will extend an offer to those students by sending the student an “Intent to Hire” letter or email.  A copy of the letter/email is also be sent to the OYA office.                                              Note – Students are not officially a Youth Apprentice until they are hired by an employer

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OYA Signing meeting - Employers contact the Youth Apprenticeship Consortium and inform them which students will be offered Youth Apprenticeships.  A Youth Apprenticeship meeting is scheduled with the employer, employer mentors, parents and a YA Consortium Coordinator.  Informational folders are provided to the student and employer containing all the required documents to establish and complete the apprenticeship.  The student’s work and school schedule is discussed, planned and finalized.  An Educational Training Agreement (ETA) is signed by the employer, student, YA Consortium coordinator, parents and school representative, and a start date for the student is established for when their Youth Apprenticeship would begin. 

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Performance Reviews – Periodically the employer mentor and the youth apprentice will meet to review the student’s past performance, expectations going forward and their skills acquired to date.  A review will be completed after the student's first 30 workdays and then every academic quarter.  These reviews are shared with the student and signed by both the employer mentor and the student.  Together they will both update the student’s Skill Standards Checklist (SSC) as well.  Signed copies of the quarterly reviews and the updated Skill Standards Checklists are then sent to the YA Consortium Coordinator for the student’s YA file.  

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Scholarships - All Youth Apprentices have the opportunity to apply for Ozaukee Youth Apprenticeship scholarships in their senior year of high school.  These scholarships, when available, can be applied by students toward their post-secondary education.  All seniors Youth Apprentices will be contacted in March regarding the scholarship application process.  Interested students should apply by completing and submitting all the required forms by the announced deadline to the Ozaukee Youth Apprenticeship office.  Student's scholarship applications are evaluated and chosen students receive their awards at the annual OYA Recognition Dinner.  The number of scholarships awarded each year varies based on funds available.


Completion of the Youth Apprenticeship – In order to be recognized for their Youth Apprenticeship with a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the Department of Workforce Development:, students must complete and submit the following to the OYA office:

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  • Accrue the required work hours (minimum 450 hours* for a one-year YA; minimum 900** hours for a two-year YA)

  • Receive quarterly evaluations (at least three for a one-year YA and six for a two-year YA)

  • Complete related coursework** (two semesters for a one-year YA; 4 semesters for a two-year YA)

  • Receive a competed Skills Standards Checklist (SSC) from their mentor

  • Receive a completed Post Completion Survey from their mentor

  • Graduate from high school***
     

All senior YA students are invited to participate in the end-of-year completion/recognition event for Youth Apprentices.  Students are encouraged to obtain a letter of recommendation from their employer if leaving their position after graduation. 

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* Recognizing time considerations due to school, sports and extracurricular activities, students have until August 31st after their     
graduation to accrue the required work hours. 

 

** Students can contact the OYA office to learn the related course(s) that apply at your school toward you chosen YA Program
    Area.  Related courses must be taken each semester in those years a student is in a Youth Apprenticeship.

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*** Note - All Youth Apprentices must remain on-track for graduation to complete their Apprenticeship 

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