BUILDING A ROBUST LOCAL WORKFORCE: CREATING REGISTERED YOUTH APPRENTICESHIPS WITH K-12 & LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Abstract

The growing skills gap in the workforce highlights the need for innovative solutions that better prepare students for high-demand careers. Traditional educational pathways, particularly emphasizing four-year college degrees, often fail to equip students with the technical, academic, and employability skills necessary to transition successfully into the labor market. Registered youth apprenticeships offer an alternative by integrating classroom instruction with hands-on, industry-driven training, enabling students to earn while they learn. This qualitative study examined the experiences and perceptions of students, employers, and educators involved in registered youth apprenticeship programs. The research was conducted in four phases, beginning with interviews to understand current experiential learning opportunities available to Wayne County Public School (WCPS) students. Phase II interviewed current and former apprentices at Surry-Yadkin Works, an established youth program, to understand the long-term impact of apprenticeships on career development for high school students. Phase III focused on designing and implementing a registered youth apprenticeship program for Wayne Community College (WCC) that aligned with industry needs. The final phase involved conducting interviews and surveys with program participants to evaluate their experiences, assess the program’s effectiveness, and identify opportunities for improvement. Findings from this study provide insights into the effectiveness of youth apprenticeships in addressing workforce shortages, supporting student career development, and fostering economic growth. The research also recommends strengthening apprenticeship programs to enhance student retention, industry engagement, and long-term workforce preparedness. This study contributes to the growing knowledge of work-based learning and informs policymakers, educators, and business leaders on strategies to build a highly skilled workforce through youth apprenticeships.