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Youth Apprenticeship

What is the Youth Apprenticeship Program?

Pacelli Catholic High School Youth Apprenticeship Program combines school-based and work-based learning to instruct students in employability and occupational skills that are defined by local businesses and manufacturers.  The Youth Apprenticeship program gives Pacelli students the opportunity to learn valuable employment skills in a career field that they are interested in pursuing after high school.  The training is based on Wisconsin Department for Workforce Development skills competencies with close input from employers.  Students involved with the program are supported by Pacelli Catholic High School teachers and a mentor/supervisor at the worksite.  Students who are accepted in the program are given the opportunity to engage in real world, on-the job experience that impact their future as well as supporting their cooperating employer.

Potential Program Areas

  • Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
  • Architecture & Construction
  • Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
  • Finance
  • Health Science
  • Hospitality & Tourism
  • Information Technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
  • Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Essential Program Elements

Key elements of the Pacelli Youth Apprenticeship program are:

  • Industry-developed skill standards
  • Exposure to multiple aspects of the industry
  • Opportunity for paid on-the-job work experience
  • Prior related classroom instruction that supports the business’s skill needs
  • Quarterly performance evaluations employability skills and work-based competencies
  • Earn high school credits (2 credits per 450 hours of work experience)

Program Timeframe

Junior or Senior level of High School:

  • 450 hours of work-based learning over a twelve month period (students may earn up to 2.0 credits)
  • 2 semesters of prior or concurrent employment related classroom instruction

When to Apply:

  • As early as MAY after sophomore year
  • As late as November of the senior year
  • All applicants will be forwarded to the employer for review and possible interview
  • Students who apply are not guaranteed to be accepted into a Youth Apprenticeship position.

Alumni Success Story

Jesse Vaughan ‘17: Simplicity Credit Union – Member Services Representative

Jesse Vaughan“The internship was the most beneficial because it taught me the practical skills that you need in any job as well as deepen my knowledge in the finance field.  One of the many skills I learned was how to handle problems. There are challenges everyday, but learning how to deal with stress and prioritize what was most important became a big part of my success on the job. Good communication between coworkers was also a very useful skill. It was a blessing to have a great crew to work with over the years working for Simplicity Credit Union. Management truly cares about my development, and my coworkers are like family. I liked it so much that I am still currently working there. There is almost always an opportunity to move up in the company and once I finish earning my college degree in accounting and business administration, I plan to do just that”.

Pacelli Catholic High School is a member of the CESA 5 Youth Apprenticeship Consortium.

Interested in becoming a partnering business? Contact:

Larry Theiss, Pacelli Catholic High School Principal
715.341.2442 or ltheiss@pacellicatholicschools.com