The Youth Pre-Apprenticeship to Apprenticeship pathway in Early Childhood Education allows students to gain industry knowledge through related instruction, on-the-job learning, mentoring, and progressive wages. While enrolled in a high school CTE Pre-apprenticeship or CTE Apprenticeship course, students must complete a minimum of 120 hours to gain academic credit. Starting as early as middle grades, students can embark on their career development journey. Offering pre-apprenticeships (paid or unpaid) provides students with hands-on exposure to the skills and tasks related to a specific occupation, fostering a practical understanding of the work environment. This experience helps students build a foundational set of skills essential for a particular industry, laying the groundwork for future apprenticeships.
Starting in a qualifying pre-apprenticeship program in high school and enrolling in a registered apprenticeship within 120 days after graduation qualifies an apprentice for a youth apprenticeship tuition waiver at the community college. This financial incentive encourages the seamless transition from high school pre-apprenticeship to a registered apprenticeship program. Work completed in a CTE pre-apprenticeship can be transferred to a Registered Apprenticeship, ensuring continuity in their career development.
For more information, contact the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Work-based Learning Consultant at the Office of Career and Technical Education at CTEWBL@dpi.nc.gov.
*Denotes a CTE completer course.
