Youth Apprenticeship

One and/or two-year Youth Apprenticeship programs (taken during junior and senior years) combine academic instruction, technical instruction, and work-based learning with an employer, allowing students to earn high school credit and earn a state-recognized certificate of occupational proficiency.  With the acquired proficiency, students will enter the workforce or go on to post-secondary education with marketable skills.  These programs may possibly allow students to receive dual credit at a technical college or university.

To be eligible to apply for Youth Apprenticeship students must display a genuine interest in one of the focused areas. Students need to register for the class during their sophomore/junior year.  Contact the instructors prior to finalizing course selections and for more information.  Accepted students will be selected through an interview process with local employers, enroll in two semesters of related course work, maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average, and have a satisfactory discipline and attendance record. Students with GPAs of 2.0-2.49 may be accepted with instructor approval.

The Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide students with the technical skills and paid work-based training and knowledge to obtain advanced standing in any technical college or university system related to an agriculture or agri-business study of interest. The student will develop skills in Vet Science and Horticulture, Agriculture Mechanics, Crop Production or Dairy and Livestock Production, Agri-business, Animal Competencies or Plant and Soil competencies.

See Ms. Michelle Heeg in the Agriscience Department, or Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Architecture and Construction apprenticeship is designed to provide students with basic skills pertinent to the construction industry. OSHA 10 and first-aid training are also required components during this apprenticeship. The fundamentals included in this pathway are carpentry, electricity, masonry/concrete, mechanical/HVAC, plumbing, and architectural drafting.

See Mr. Theran Peterson in the Technology & Engineering Department or Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Arts, A/V Technology and Communication Apprenticeship follow on the career pathway of graphic design and printing. This apprenticeship is designed to provide students with the technical skills and on-site, work-based training for entry-level employment in the printing industry.

See Mr. Ryan Schroder in the Technology & Engineering Department or Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Business Administration Apprenticeship Program supports the areas of business and human resources administration.  This apprenticeship program is designed to provide students with the skills needed for both industries while working on-site through work-based learning. Administrative professionals support organizations combining organizational and people skills, using information processing and office technologies.  Human resource professionals support organizational management of employee hiring, benefit administration, payroll, and general employee relations.

See Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Education Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide the opportunity for both early childhood and school aged experiences for entry-level industry employment. The focus on the apprenticeship is to provide students with the technical skills of building relationships with parents and staff, implementing learning activities, maintaining a safe and healthy environment, and learning valuable skills for working with children while working on-site.

Note: In some settings youth apprentices must meet the requirements set forth by the WI Department of Children and Families for School Age Program Assistant or School Age Group Leader.

See Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Finance Youth Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide students with the technical skills and on-site, work-based training for entry-level employment. In addition, it will provide the student with basic skills and requirements needed to enter a post-secondary program in a finance-related field. The student may be exposed to the operations of a bank, credit union, or insurance industry through on-site job training. They will also work in the areas of lending, product services, and support services.

See Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

Government Project Management is a new pathway for the State of Wisconsin.  This program is designed to allow students to gain skills related to project management approaches, to support organizational formulation of strategies and execution of projects to achieve strategic goals.

See Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Health Science Youth Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide students with the technical skills and on-site, work-based training for entry-level employment. In addition, it will provide the student with the basic skills and requirements needed to enter a post-secondary program in a health-related field. The student may pursue becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and enroll in a CNA course outside of Wausau West. A CNA will become familiar with the operations of a hospital or nursing home.  One-year areas include dietary, pharmacy, dental, optometry, Resident Assistant and medical office.

See Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Hospitality/Lodging/Tourism Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide students with skills, knowledge, and paid work-based training in management, marketing, operations of restaurants, and other food service. Other areas include lodging, attractions, recreation events, and travel-related services.  If you work, or have an interest in the food industry, there are opportunities for you!

See Mr. Carl Hert or Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Barber/Cosmetology Apprenticeship Program is designed to support stylists in delivering client services, ensuring customer satisfaction, and managing salon operations. This is a one-year program only.

See Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The IT Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide students with basic skills pertinent to working with computer devices and application set up and support. The Wausau School district offers an IT Apprenticeship for students who possess strong problem solving and customer service skills. It is for a student who has expressed an interest in an IT, computer, web/Internet, computer design, and/or programming career.

See Mr. Carl Hert or Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Law, Public Safety, and Security pathway allows students the opportunity to select between Fire Protectant and Law Enforcement as pathway options.  Students enrolled in the program will gain skills related to fire and community protection or law enforcement and safety of citizens. Students enrolled in either program must obtain their CPR and First Aide Training during this program.

See Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide students with the technical skills and paid work-based training and knowledge associated with production welding. The students will develop skills in the following welding processes; SMAW, GTAW, GMAW and FCAW, as well as the following cutting processes; Oxyfuel, Air Carbon, Plasma and Laser. Manufacturing students will develop skills in the following manufacturing processes: milling, turning, grinding, and sawing.

See Mr. Nick Polak in the Technology and Engineering Department or Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Marketing Youth Apprenticeship is designed to provide students with the technical skills and on-site, work-based training for entry-level employment in the marketing field.  In addition, it will provide the student with basic skills and requirements needed to enter a postsecondary program in a marketing related field.  Other areas may include professional selling, merchandising, marketing research, and marketing management.  Students need to have instructor approval to seek out this opportunity.

See Mr. Carl Hert or Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Apprenticeship is designed to provide students with the technical skills and on-site, work-based training for entry-level employment. In addition, it will provide the student with the basic skills and requirements needed to enter a post-secondary program in a STEM-related field. The student will be exposed to skills in the following areas: solid modeling, engineering design, drafting and dimensioning, design for manufacturing, lean manufacturing, and applied math and science.

See Mr. Theran Peterson in the Technology and Engineering Department  or Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.

The Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide students with the technical skills and paid work-based training and knowledge to obtain advanced standing in any technical college or university system related to an automotive field of interest. The student will continue to build on their school based knowledge on the worksite in the following ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) areas: Brakes, Engine Performance, Electrical/Electronic Systems, and Suspension & Steering.

See Mrs. Taryn Fuller in the Business/Marketing Department.