By signing a contract, the 11 students commit to work part-time during their last two years of high school as part of the CareerWise Elkhart program.
When they graduate, they’ll work full-time for at least another year.
John Delgado oversees Indiana apprenticeships for the U-S Department of Labor. He says apprenticeships like these not only benefit students but are great for employers seeking skilled workers.
“In my opinion they’re getting the cream of the crop because they’re not having to wait. And right now they’re getting these students...that if they work out for them, fine, if not, they know what they’re getting,“ Delgado says.
The apprentices will learn skills from manufacturing to project management and will earn certifications and class credit along the way.
Jason Harrison of Horizon Education Alliance says he hopes that by next year, there will be up to 300 apprentices at companies across the region.