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Celebrating Innovative Pathways in Skills-Based Learning for Youth

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Overview of Youth Apprenticeship Week (YAW)

YAW is an annual celebration in its inaugural year that highlights the importance of apprenticeship as a pathway for young people aged 16-24 to launch successful careers in critical industries. During this week, the National Institute for Innovation and Technology™, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), showcases the success stories of youth apprentices, the support of their employers, and the significant impacts on our industries and communities

Building Tomorrow's Workforce

At the Institute, we believe in the power of Registered Apprenticeships to transform lives and industries alike. These programs are more than just training; they are gateways to sustainable careers, fostering economic growth and paving the way for a prosperous future.

  • Why Apprenticeships Matter: Apprenticeships provide a critical combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training, ensuring that participants are job-ready from day one. This approach not only facilitates effective learning and skill acquisition but also addresses the needs of industries facing skill shortages.

    Here’s why this model is transformative:
     

    • Immediate Employment: Apprentices start working from day one, gaining essential hands-on experience that builds competence and confidence.​

    • Economic Advantage: With over 94% of apprentices retaining employment after program completion, apprenticeships demonstrate a clear path to stable job opportunities.

    • Earn While You Learn: Apprentices earn a salary during their training period, which helps mitigate the financial barriers associated with furthering education and skills training.

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  • The Institute’s Commitment: Aligned with our mission to enhance the nation's workforce, the Institute champions apprenticeships as a strategic approach to bridge the skills gap, particularly in critical and emerging industries such as semiconductor and advanced manufacturing.

Apprenticeship USA Logo

Celebrate All Week Long

Registered Apprenticeships are transformative, bolstering the global competitiveness of our economy and paving pathways of success in the rapidly growing fields of semiconductor and advanced manufacturing.

 

In celebration of the inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Week, the Institute has joined forces with the USDOL, regional and national workforce partners, and apprentices themselves. This collaborative effort highlights the burgeoning opportunities in these critical industries and underscores our commitment to executing a national strategy that builds a robust talent pipeline for the future.

 

Throughout Youth Apprenticeship Week, the Institute will host a live virtual event, complemented by extensive digital outreach, to educate and engage stakeholders on the benefits and opportunities provided by Registered Apprenticeship programs.

Daily Themes of Youth Apprenticeship Week:

  • Monday:

“Parents and Guardians are a Priority” in Registered Apprenticeship Understanding the pivotal role parents and guardians play, this day focuses on engaging them as critical stakeholders in supporting and promoting the value of apprenticeships as viable career pathways for their children.

  • Tuesday:

Youth Apprenticeships: Building Awareness, Myth Busting, Partnering with Educational Providers, and Creating Pathways through Pre-Apprenticeship

Today’s activities are dedicated to increasing visibility and understanding of Youth Apprenticeships, dispelling common myths, and highlighting successful partnerships with educational providers that facilitate seamless transitions from school to career.

  • Wednesday:

 Expanding Youth Apprenticeship Opportunities for Underserved Populations

We focus on expanding access and opportunities for underserved and underrepresented youth, ensuring that everyone has the chance to benefit from apprenticeships and contribute to diverse industries.

  • Thursday:

 National Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day

A celebration of commitment as new apprentices sign their agreements and officially enter their training programs, marking a major milestone in their professional journeys.

  • Friday:

Federal Partners Day and Call to Action

We wrap up the week by highlighting the support from federal partners and issuing a call to action to continue expanding and supporting apprenticeship programs across the nation.

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Resources

Gain insight into youth apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships with these valuable resources:

 

  • Fact Sheet: Gain insights into the current state of post-secondary education, student loan debt, and related information that is important for youth as they consider their next career steps. Download Fact Sheet

  • Infographic: Learn about common myths (and the truth) around youth apprenticeships.
    Download Infographic

This project has been funded, either wholly or in part, with Federal funds from the Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration under contract number 1605C2-22-C006, (GAINS – Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors). The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor docs mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement of same by the U.S. Government.

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