Youth Apprenticeship
School Systems
Launch Youth Registered Appreniceship Programs in your District!
In today’s rapidly evolving world, students need more than a diploma — they need real-world skills, purpose, and a clear path to success. That’s where Youth Registered Apprenticeships (YRAs) come in.
As a school district, you have the unique opportunity to bridge education and career development — giving students hands-on learning, paid experience, and a head start on their futures.
Benefits of YRA for School Districts
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Deepen your connections with Business and Industry in your community – especially those on your CTE advisory boards
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Unlock more postsecondary asset opportunities for your students
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Provide relevant, real-world experiences that link CTE and core academic learning to meaningful skills and experiences for students.
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Address local workforce shortages — especially in hard-to-fill roles like teaching, technology, and skilled trades — by cultivating talent from within your community.
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These partnerships open doors for mentorships, internships, and full-time job offers for your graduates.
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Apprenticeship programs are supported by the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) Work-Based Learning Continuum as a high-quality career preparation experience for students in CTE Pathways.
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Weighted and other legislative funding is available to districts that support a braided apprenticeship and CTE pathway approach.
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Students participating in the program will earn valuable industry-recognized credentials while exploring their career interests — all without the burden of costly tuition.
Youth Registered Apprenticeship and CTE Pathway: Braided Program Design
Registered apprenticeship programs naturally fit within work-based learning programs in high schools and complement and enhance Career and Technical Education programs. High schools and employers work closely to develop and ensure the related technical instruction meets high school graduation requirements. Youth Registered Apprenticeship in Kansas is a competency-based program in which youth are hired by an employer and work for the employer part-time, between 5 and 18 hours each week.
Pathway: Teaching & Training
KSDE Resources for Work Based Learning
Kansas Work-Based Learning: Personalized Learning Plan - Guidance Document
This resource outlines the process for creating a customized learning experience for students participating in work-based learning (WBL) programs. It emphasizes aligning student career goals with structured learning and authentic work experiences, culminating in measurable outcomes and potential employment opportunities.
Postsecondary Readiness Digital Reference Guide
This resource is designed to support students in planning their post-secondary paths, whether it be in higher education, technical training, or the workforce. It provides a framework for students to develop Individual Plans of Study (IPS), aligning their academic and career goals with appropriate coursework, work-based learning experiences, and other relevant opportunities. The guide emphasizes personalized learning, helping students identify their strengths and interests to create a roadmap for future success.
The Kansas Career Cluster Guidance Handbook
This resource outlines career pathways and provides a framework for students to explore career options. It is designed to help students transition from high school to postsecondary education, apprenticeships, the military or the workplace. The handbook organizes knowledge and skills into coherent course sequences, guiding students through relevant coursework and work-based learning experiences.
Other Youth Apprenticeship Considerations for School Districts
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Kansas Works and the Local Workforce Boards can provide resources and support with connecting with local employers in your community and other opportunities for students to participate in job fairs, employability skills workshops, and other programs.
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Traditionally, apprenticeships require 2000 hours of work (full time employment) per year, youth apprenticeship allows for that requirement to be relaxed so that apprentices currently enrolled in school can work part time with their employer and still be in a registered apprenticeship program.