GET AHEAD. The inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair will connect Eau Claire high schoolers with area employers and resources about apprenticeships. (Pictured is a Regis High School student signing on to gain experience with Royal Credit Union in 2023)

Area organizations are putting local apprenticeship opportunities in the spotlight this spring with the inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair. The new event aims to connect businesses with Eau Claire high schoolers, ultimately fostering stronger pathways between students and post-secondary opportunities beyond college, like apprenticeships.

The Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce and Eau Claire Area Youth Apprenticeship Consortium have hosted similar events over the last several years – the Youth Apprenticeship program has been connecting students with employers for over 25 years – but nothing quite like the upcoming fair.

“We have a larger vision to ingrain youth apprenticeship within the culture of the schools,” the Chamber's Director of Workforce and Emerging Talent, Tina Probst, said.

The Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) underwent a program review during the 2023-24 school year and found there was specific need for opportunities like apprenticeships. Michelle Radtke, director of secondary programming and post secondary readiness, said the district has big plans for the Youth Apprenticeship program. "As a district, it is our goal within the next five years to have over 150 students enrolled in a youth apprenticeship program each year."

This route, especially for those wanting to go into any trades, can save students thousands of dollars and get them into the workforce sooner. –Tina Probst, E.C. Chamber Director of Workforce & Emerging Talent

Spreading awareness about the opportunities for young adults beyond higher education is just one of the organizers’ goals. Junior and senior high school students are already eligible to participate in work-based learning through the Youth Apprenticeship program, earning credits and/or money in return, which can benefit them in the near- and long-term.

For example, one of those opportunities is through the Electrical Fundamentals Pathway program. If a student is curious about what a career as an electrician could look like, they have the opportunity to complete a one- to two-year youth apprenticeship through that program to again experience, whether not they end up pursuing that career after graduation. If the student does want to continue their electrician education, there are registered apprenticeships available to them.

"In order to enroll in a youth apprenticeship, students need to take courses related to the career pathway prior and during their youth apprenticeship experience," Radtke explained. "Students are expected to apply what they learn in school to their work environment, enhancing their understanding and skills."

Students part of the Youth Apprenticeship program are protected by a variety of labor laws, including specific guidelines around how many hours they are allowed to work, what type of equipment they can use, and more.

We'd love for this event to be the event where employers can find talent ready to work or begin building their pipeline of future talent. –Tina Probst

“This route, especially for those wanting to go into any trades, can save students thousands of dollars and get them into the workforce sooner,” Probst said.

The upcoming Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair events will feature information about 16 career fields including agriculture, arts and communication, marketing, finance, STEM, health science, and more. With each career field represented, there are tabling opportunities for area businesses to connect with students. There are numerous slots available to sign up for, with Eau Claire Ford, Wisconsin Public Radio, and Royal Credit Union already slated to attend.

“The long term hope of this fair is that it would continue to grow in both student and employer participation,” Probst said. “We’d love for this event to be the event where employers can find talent ready to work or begin building their pipeline of future talent.”

The Eau Claire Area Youth Apprenticeship Consortium serves Eau Claire’s Memorial and North High Schools, Regis Catholic High School, and Fall Creek High School. Learn more about the Youth Apprenticeship program and other opportunities online.

Local employers and businesses are invited to sign up to attend the inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Career Fair, hosted on April 15 and 17, online • Learn more about the Youth Apprenticeship program at www.eauclairechamber.org/youth-apprenticeship/