High school apprenticeships heralded as a groundbreaking trend; one state spearheading the movement.
In Elkhart, Indiana, a flourishing apprenticeship program is providing local youth with meaningful opportunities and brighter futures. Launched in 2019, the initiative combines work-based training with classroom instruction, and it's quickly gaining momentum both locally and statewide.
CareerWise Elkhart, a key player in this initiative, has recently onboarded 64 new apprentices with 24 local employers. This expansion reflects a 20% annual growth, aiming to prepare students for the workforce and address issues that arise in apprenticeships.
The apprenticeship model, which is gaining traction nationally, is seen as a promising pathway for career readiness. Indiana's approach, highlighted by Elkhart's efforts, is considered a leading example of integrating apprenticeships into high school education.
Elkhart serves as one of seven pilot sites funded by the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, embodying a proof of concept that influenced statewide education reform. Students as young as sophomores receive coaching, resume-building support, and mock interviews to enter apprenticeships with minimum eligibility standards such as attendance and a GPA of 2.5 or above.
Business leaders who do sign on for apprenticeships report savings over time and improved employee loyalty. Tim Pletcher, the principal of Jimtown High, said students are often drawn to apprenticeships for the chance to spend less time in class and earn a paycheck.
One such student is Ty Zartman, who began his apprenticeship at Hoosier Crane Service Company in fall 2023. Starting his day at 6:30 a.m., Ty worked in customer service and took safety and training courses while earning $13 an hour. In June 2023, Ty started full-time at Hoosier Crane as a field technician.
The state has invested $10 million to help students pay for costs such as transportation, equipment, and certifications. Litzy Henriquez Monchez, a 17-year-old apprentice, earns $13.50 an hour and is working towards an industry-recognized certification in human resources.
Anitra Zartman, Ty's mother, initially worried about her son's decision to go straight to work, but later came around after seeing the positive impact on him. In fact, Ty's experience influenced his sister, Anitra's eldest daughter, Senica, who also participated in an apprenticeship and it influenced her decision to study education.
Attracting employers has been the biggest challenge to expanding youth apprenticeships. However, many companies in Elkhart pay for their apprentices to attend Ivy Tech, a statewide community college system, if they continue to work there.
The collaboration between education, business, and philanthropy is building a scalable and replicable model influencing policy and practice statewide. Youth apprenticeships in Elkhart are creating meaningful opportunities, contributing to community stability, and providing brighter futures for local youth.
Indiana is among several states that have embraced the apprenticeship model and sent delegations to Switzerland to learn more. The "earn and learn" model of apprenticeships is gaining popularity due to deepening disillusionment with four-year college and the fact that well-paying jobs that don't require bachelor's degrees are going unfilled nationally.
Elkhart's apprenticeship program has its roots in the Great Recession, when demand for recreational vehicles plummeted and contributed to a regional unemployment rate of nearly 20%. The program's founder, Brian Wiebe, led the work to diversify industries and keep up with automation through high school education.
In December 2021, the state adopted a new diploma system that includes an emphasis on experiential and work-based learning, through apprenticeships, internships, and summer jobs. This new diploma system is part of a broader effort to better prepare students for the workforce.
Statewide, some parents have expressed concerns that work-based learning might limit their children's opportunities. However, Sarah Metzler, CEO of the nonprofit HEA, states that apprenticeships differ from the vocational education of the past, as they require students to continually learn new skills and earn new certifications.
In sum, Elkhart’s youth apprenticeship programs are flourishing locally, serving as a benchmark for broader adoption across Indiana and potentially the United States, with strong impacts on student success and workforce readiness.
- The flourishing apprenticeship program in Elkhart, Indiana, is integrating education and self-development by combining work-based training with classroom instruction, addressing issues in apprenticeships and preparing students for career development.
- Education inequality is being addressed through initiatives like CareerWise Elkhart, which offers skills-training and opportunities for local youth, signifying a promising pathway for meaningful learning and bright futures.
- As Indiana's apprenticeship model gains momentum, it serves as a leading example of workforce development, combining effort from education, business, and philanthropy to create a scalable and replicable model influencing education reform.
- The apprenticeship programs in Elkhart are contributing to innovation in education and career development, addressing concerns about four-year college disillusionment and the growing need for well-paying jobs that don't require bachelor's degrees.
