GEORGIA Youth Apprenticeship Program

Begins with the business partnership.

What is a Youth Apprenticeship Program?

Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP) begins with the business partnership. The purpose of YAP is to allow Georgia’s businesses an opportunity to grow the highly trained workforce they need stating in high school. The ultimate goal of YAP and the business in the partnership should be to help the student earn a post-secondary credential in the technical field related to the occupational category.

The program design and the planned outcome of student credentials is what makes YAP different and unique from WBL. The following are major components around which YAP should be developed:

A Win for Students

A key factor contributing to the program’s success is the positive experience of the youth apprentices themselves. Because the program focuses on developing an individualized training plan for each youth apprentice, students recognize clear connections between their learning in the classroom setting, their experiences on the job, and achieving their future goals for careers and higher education.

Georgia high school students benefit from their participation in the Youth Apprenticeship Program by:

  • establishing a clear connection between education and work,
  • increasing motivation and retention by showing the relevance of academic and occupational instruction,
  • providing opportunities to explore possible careers and enhancing skill development.
  • developing workplace responsibility and positive work habits and attitudes,
  • encouraging completion of secondary education and enrollment in post-secondary education,
  • providing opportunities for leadership, and
  • learning from skilled professionals.

A Win for Employers

Not only do students benefit greatly from their participation in the Youth Apprenticeship Program; employers also reap rewards for their participation. Through their participation, employers are provided an opportunity to:

  • increase employer visibility in education.
  • prepare future workers.
  • reduce their costs for recruitment and training.
  • communicate required job-specific proficiencies to educational personnel.
  • improve employee retention.
  • offer a skilled, homegrown workforce for Georgia in the 21st century.
  • become more involved with the curriculum development process.

Employers view apprentices as valuable employees that make a real contribution to their businesses. Youth Apprenticeship employers know that they are not only helping young people achieve their dreams, they are also developing a world-class workforce for Georgia in the 21st century. Each year a customer satisfaction survey is sent to employers participating in the Youth Apprenticeship Program to ascertain their satisfaction with the program and the students they employ as a part of the program.