Youth Apprenticeship is a structured combination of related coursework completed at the high school level and on-the-job training specific to a post-secondary credential, which the employer and student are committed to. Essential components of Georgia’s Youth Apprenticeship Program area partnership structure involving secondary schools, post-secondary institutions, employers, and community representatives. Through a coordinated effort involving business and industry, Youth Apprenticeship addresses the dual role of preparing students for the world of work and providing Georgia with a highly skilled, technologically competitive workforce. Youth Apprenticeship is appropriate for careers where specific credentials that are required have been identified. These credential may include certificates, associate degree, diploma, and other industry identified and recognized credentials.

Youth Apprenticeship includes an agreement between the employer, student, and school system. This TRAINING AGREEMENT, as a minimum, requires the following:

• Development of a detailed training plan of competencies to be learned on the job and precisely what tasks the student will perform on the job.
• Commitment to allow the student to work toward their post-secondary credential and accumulation of a minimum of 720 hours of on-the-job training.
• Assistance to the student in making the transition from school to the workforce with possible considerations for their future employment with the company upon completion.
• Workplace mentoring, and instruction in general workplace competencies.
• Periodic evaluations of employability skills and progress toward improvement at performing the competencies on the training plan.
• Adherence to all State and Federal labor laws and regulations for working with youth.