Earn While You Learn!
Get paid from day one, earn free college credit, learn under a professional mentor, and kick-start your career through a youth apprenticeship.
Youth apprenticeships are paid work-based learning programs for young people ages 16-24. Apprentices learn through a combination of paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction to master knowledge and skills needed to be successful in that specific career.
How does the youth apprenticeship program work?
Students usually commit to one to three years and start the program in the 11th or 12th grade, but the timetable can be flexible. Students who demonstrate competency in their coursework and on-the-job activities can complete the program sooner, and others may take additional time.
Are you a Montana student interested in a youth apprenticeship?
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) from students about a youth apprenticeship program. If you have additional questions, contact us.
Yes, an apprenticeship is a real job! It’s also a work-based training program that includes education or classroom instruction and paid on-the-job training. If you are accepted into the youth apprenticeship program and hired by an employer, you will be an employee of that employer.
An apprenticeship provides paid on-the-job training along with classroom learning that typically spans three years. The length of the apprenticeship ensures that the training received prepares the apprentice to step into a position and become a productive employee.
A typical internship will expose students to a work environment for a short term (i.e., 2-6 months). Internships may or may not be paid.
Juniors and seniors are eligible to participate in youth apprenticeships. Youth apprentices can be ages 16-24. However, some employers have minimum age requirements for specific occupations.
We work statewide to provide youth apprenticeship opportunities in Montana.
Apprenticeship programs range from one to three years. Both the student and employer commit to the multi-year timeframe.
Your high school schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the college courses you will be taking. Your high school counselor will work with you to ensure you meet all of your academic goals and that you are on track to graduate with your high school diploma.
This will depend on your schedule. Becoming a youth apprentice requires a serious commitment of time, effort, and energy. You will work for your employer during the academic year and the summer. In addition to regular high school classes, youth apprentices take a specific sequence of college courses each semester.
The youth apprentice program is designed for motivated students interested in gaining work experience, on-the-job training, and in-classroom instruction. The demands of the program are significant, but so are the rewards.
Your related classroom instruction will take place either in person or online from a recognized post-secondary institution.You’ll earn a certification from that institution.
No. You'll apply, interview, and the employer will make the hiring decision like any other job. The great news is that if you are accepted into the Youth Apprenticeship program, your employer will support and pay you throughout the experience.
Yes. All youth apprentices will earn college credits or a portable certification as part of the program.
Yes. Students who are homeschooled can apply for the youth apprenticeship program.
Youth apprentices who successfully complete the program will receive:
- Paid work experience
- Mentoring from an industry professional
- College credit from a local post-secondary institution free of charge.
- College credit that may be applied toward a degree
- Industry recognized credential(s)(a certificate that holds value for a specific industry or career field)
- Marketable skills for life
- Professional network that can connect you to future opportunities
Are you a Montana business interested in hiring youth apprentices?
Here are some helpful, frequently asked questions to provide more information about the youth apprenticeship program. If you have additional questions, contact us.
Apprenticeship is a proven education and workforce strategy combining paid, structured, on-the-job training and related classroom learning. A youth apprenticeship is a structured, work-based learning program designed to start when apprentices are in high school. High-quality youth apprenticeship programs are built on partnerships that include employers, high schools, and providers of postsecondary education, most often a community college.
High-quality youth apprenticeship programs include the following four core elements:
- Paid, on-the-job learning under the supervision of skilled employee mentors
- Related, classroom-based instruction
- Ongoing assessment against established skills and competency standards
- Culmination in a portable, industry-recognized credential and postsecondary credit
Youth apprenticeship is a great way to develop a talented, engaged, loyal employee pipeline. Studies have shown that youth apprenticeship programs re-engage your current workforce, develop a management pipeline, and increase energy in the office. You will see a positive return on investment as you shift from being consumers of talent to producers of talent.
Apprentice Wages
The host employer pays the apprentice an hourly wage for time worked (at least minimum wage) and commits to increasing the wage as the apprentice develops and demonstrates expected competencies as defined by the employer.
Training Costs
The host employer contributes to the cost of the apprentice’s educational expenses.
Here are some of the services Reach Higher Montana offers:
- Student Recruitment and Education Liaison
Working with local schools to identify the best candidates, facilitate scheduling, and apprentice advising. - Training Plan Development and Launch Services
Working across education providers and industry standards to develop a high-quality training program relevant to both employer and apprentice, apprenticeship registration, and cost reduction support. We facilitate the process, helping education partners and employers co-design the training program needed to meet the skills/credential requirements. - Apprentice and Employer Training
Providing workshops and trainings to ready apprentices, supervisors and mentors - Ongoing Program Support
Yes. Vetted applicants (ages 16-24) will be matched with an employer. The employer will interview and hire the youth apprentice.
The apprenticeship programs can be a one to three-year commitment from both the student and the employer.
No. However, to help with program costs, there is various funding available for those apprenticeships that are registered.
If your business desires to have its apprenticeship program(s) participate in the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program, Reach Higher Montana will, upon your request, serve as the “sponsor” for registration. As a sponsor, Reach Higher Montana will complete the registered apprenticeship paperwork, maintain the required apprenticeship records, and serve as the Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s primary contact for the program.
Reach Higher Montana is a 501(c)(3).
You can hire as many apprentices as you need. Some employers choose to hire just one apprentice per year, but other employers choose to hire a cohort of apprentices each year.
Resources
Looking for more information? The Work-based Learning Collaborative has resources for employers, educators, and students. Check them out.
Connect with us today!
Jason Butcher, Outreach Director, Reach Higher Montana
[email protected]
(406) 366-0777
With the support of the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship, Reach Higher Montana launched the Youth Apprenticeship program in 2019.
