Idaho Business for Education’s youth apprenticeship program

In the last four years, more than 500 young people from every region of Idaho have enrolled in – and many completed – Federally Registered Apprenticeships for occupations as varied as teacher’s aide, welder, personal trainer, and medical assistant.

Idaho Business for Education’s Youth Apprenticeship Program has been a key player in helping employers, school districts, training providers, and young people from 16 to 24 years of age expand opportunities to grow Idaho’s workforce through apprenticeship.

In Idaho, we are hoping to increase the percentage of high school graduates who “go on” to some form of higher education (including the military). Although apprenticeship is not explicitly included in this goal, it can be a life-changing alternative to young people looking for innovative ways to enter meaningful careers that pay well and provide challenge and opportunity. And it often includes more traditional training that is very much a part of the state’s “go on” effort.

During National Apprenticeship Week (Nov. 17-23) Idaho Business for Education wants to recognize and celebrate entering its fifth year of supporting youth apprenticeship. It started in 2020 when IBE and the Idaho Workforce Development Council were awarded a four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to establish, grow, support, and sustain youth apprenticeship. It continues with a new grant from the IWDC to expand this work through 2026.

Why are IBE and IWDC so passionate about youth apprenticeship?

• Apprenticeship has a proven track record of helping workers and employers by providing on-the-job training, classroom-type instruction, mentorship, and a clear career path.
• Apprenticeship helps businesses (and non-profit employers) attract and retain top talent at a time when the labor market is more competitive than ever.
• Apprenticeship creates partnerships between schools and employers, connecting students as young as 16 to real jobs that lead to meaningful careers.
• Our grant provides eligible youth apprentices up to $750 per year to cover related costs, such as equipment, clothing, supplies, or even the expenses to drive to and from work. For many young people, this is a game-changing service that means the difference between being able to enter the workforce or not.
• The program can connect with other programs, such as Idaho LAUNCH, the new program that pays for up to 80 percent of eligible graduating high school seniors for post-secondary tuition and fees. This can be part of an approved youth apprenticeship.

Idaho has received national recognition for this program and has lots of highlights to celebrate. In Soda Springs, the high school has both sponsored its own apprenticeships for teacher’s aides and other opportunities and collaborated with local employers to establish apprenticeships around the region, with over 70 apprentices placed to date.

Elsewhere, the Nez Perce Tribe has partnered with IBE to create unique and sustainable opportunities for over 50 of its young people in a variety of fields. Large employers such as St. Luke’s Health System and Micron are significant participants in apprenticeship in the Treasure Valley. Idaho Central Credit Union partners with high schools across the state using branches right in the schools, placing 65 apprentices to date.

There are many more – dozens more. Each example tells its own story, with unique opportunities to expand the state’s workforce, introduce young people to new opportunities, and open doors for coursework and technical certifications.

Want to learn more about youth apprenticeship? Go to https://idahobe.org/youth-apprenticeship/ for details and contact information.

Co-authored by Paula Kellerer (CEO & President of Idaho Business for Education) and Wendi Secrist (Executive Director of the Idaho Workforce Development Council).