Employer Responsibilities
- Interview and hire YA student(s).
- Provide on the job training to YA student(s).
- Pay YA student(s) at least minimum wage.
- Participate in regular progress reviews with youth apprentice(s) at least 3 times per year.
- Ensure 450 hours per year of worksite training/work hours. This time can be during school, if the student’s schedule allows, after school, before school, on weekends, and over the summer months.
- Comply with employment of minors (a.k.a. child labor) laws.
Employer Requirements
The work-based learning component of the YA program is designed to provide an on-the-job learning environment for students by being “apprenticed” to an experienced mentor. As with all apprenticeship programs, the work-based learning component is the primary method for teaching the required competencies, your business becomes an extension of the classroom for the student.
The Career and Life Ready team at CESA 3 will assist the YA student in receiving the required related instruction to support the work-based learning experience by providing theoretical knowledge and, when needed, providing appropriate skill development to align with your industry standards and their career pathway.
Worksite Performance Evaluation
The employer mentor will review, evaluate, and report on the YA student’s job performance regularly to ensure they are learning the required competencies. Mentors rate each competency as the YA student acquires and demonstrates the skill according to the performance criteria created by the Department of Workforce Development. A competency may be revisited and the score raised as the YA student becomes more proficient at the worksite.
The mentor and YA student go over the Skills Standards Checklist regularly to record progress and plan future steps to complete the required competencies. Click here to see a full list of competencies based on career pathway. The CESA 3 Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator can help provide guidance or answer questions relating to these documents. Mentors participate in progress reviews with the YA student, school staff and/or YA instructors, and parent(s)/guardian(s).
Important Timeframes
- November/December- You will receive a Core Abilities form to rate the performance of your Youth Apprentice student for the first semester. This form allows the school to provide a grade and high school credit to the student for participating in the program.
- March/April - You will receive a Core Abilities form once again to rate the student for the second semester that will allow the school to provide a grade and credit.
- May - August - A member of the Career & Life Ready team will contact you to arrange a visit to complete final paperwork for the Youth Apprentice for the year. This includes completing the Skills Standards Checklist and calculating the total hours worked. Please note: the YA must complete 450 hours from June 1 - August 31 of the following year.
Termination
Every effort should be made to provide opportunities for the YA student to succeed in the program. You may dismiss or fire YA students who do not comply with work rules or requirements. If termination is necessary, please notify a CESA 3 Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator prior to termination and a meeting of all parties to the ETA should be held, unless the violation is serious enough to warrant immediate dismissal.
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