The Merrill High School (MHS) Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Program celebrated their Student Stars at a banquet on May 5, 2022. The awards recognized students for excellence in developing career readiness skills at their worksite. Of the 94 students in YA this school year, 12 students received Student Stars Awards. Students receiving Awards, along with their YA worksite, included:
• Isabella Hoff – Incredible Bank
• Madison Malm – BMO Harris Bank
• Danyelle Kottke – Merrill Community Bank
• Zach Klimek – Brickner’s Park City
• Bryce Brown – Geiss Meat Service
• Gaven Reindl – Agra Industries
• Allie Maschke – Weinbrenner Shoe Company
• Alissa Kracht – Arby’s
• Angela Hinner – Walmart
• Omarion Banks – McDonalds
• Bailey Turenne – Turenne Construction
• Tyler Wieloch – Mitchell Metal Products
The Youth Apprenticeship Program is a rigorous one or two-year elective, statewide program for high school Juniors and Seniors that combines academic and technical instruction with mentored, paid, on-the-job learning that makes a real world connection for students. Youth Apprentices work a minimum of 450 hours at their YA worksite each year of their program and take related high school or college classes to enhance their worksite experiences. They earn one credit for each semester they successfully participate in YA, and at the completion of their apprenticeship, they receive a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the State of Wisconsin, an accomplishment that is recognized by both employers and colleges alike.
The 11 program areas available through Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship Program are: agriculture, food and natural resources; architecture and construction; art, a/v technology and communications; finance; health science; hospitality, lodging and tourism; information technology; manufacturing; marketing; science, technology, engineering and math; and transportation, distribution and logistics.
Employers hire apprentices for a variety of reasons, including being able to recruit potential employees and shape the quality of their workforce, to develop partnerships with Merrill High School, and to build great employee loyalty and create positive PR by helping youth with employment and education.
Students become apprentices because they earn a paycheck while learning from skilled professionals.
They become more organized and efficient with their time, increase career awareness and improve future employability, and develop the necessary skills needed for entry-level employment, and in some program areas, begin working towards a Registered Apprenticeship.
For more information about participating in the YA Program, as either a business or a student, contact MHS Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator Linda Murray at 715.536.4594 ext. 18039.