How the Youth Apprenticeship Works
Goals, benefits, eligibility, timeline, and the partners who make it possible.
Program Goals
What We're Building Together
1. Launch the Pilot
Launch and support a pilot youth registered apprenticeship serving approximately eight (8) Tehama County high school students pursuing careers in Industrial Maintenance.
2. Build the Toolkit
Develop a replicable Youth Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning Toolkit for educators, employers, and workforce partners throughout rural Northern California.
3. Share What We Learn
Document lessons learned, best practices, and sustainability recommendations to support long-term systems improvement and regional expansion of work-based learning.
Student Benefits
What Apprentices Get
- A paycheck. Progressive wages from day one, with raises tied to skill milestones
- A mentor. One-on-one guidance from an experienced journey-level technician
- A credential. A state-registered apprenticeship record and industry-recognized certifications
- Related instruction. Technical coursework aligned to on-the-job learning
- High school credit. Apprenticeship hours integrated with your school schedule
- A career head start. Graduate with up to two years of paid experience
Eligibility
Who Can Apply
- Age 16+ and enrolled as a junior or senior at Red Bluff, Corning, or Los Molinos High School (no independent study)
- 2.0+ GPA, on track to graduate with no failing grades, and a 90%+ attendance rate
- Trades coursework: two years of trades classes before senior year, and at least one during senior year (ag mechanics, welding, manufacturing, automotive, or construction)
- Reliable transportation to and from the jobsite; if driving yourself, a valid driver's license and insurance
- Ability to complete required approval forms if hired, including a work permit
- A current resume submitted at the time of application
- Some employers may require a pre-employment physical and/or drug screening
Timeline
Program Timeline
Select a milestone to see what happens at each phase. Dates are finalized with school and employer partners each term.
Pilot Cohort on the Job
The first apprentices are logging paid hours at Bell-Carter Foods, PJ Helicopters, Crain Walnut Shelling, and Red Bluff High School District. Applications are currently closed.
Next Application Window
Information sessions at the three high schools; applications and resumes accepted; interviews and apprentice and mentor matching follow. Dates are confirmed with school coordinators.
Next Cohort Starts
Orientation, safety training, and first paid on-the-job learning hours. Related technical instruction begins.
Earn, Learn, Advance
Apprentices progress through competency milestones with wage increases; quarterly check-ins with school, employer, and family.
Credential & Career
Apprentices complete on-the-job hours and instruction toward journey-level status, with many continuing full-time with their host employer.
Partner Involvement
Who Does What
| Partner | Role in the Program |
|---|---|
| Job Training Center | Lead agency and grant administrator; program coordination, student support services, and employer engagement. |
| Tehama County CTE Coalition | Strategic oversight; alignment of CTE coursework and career pathways across districts. |
| Corning, Los Molinos & Red Bluff High Schools | Student recruitment, academic scheduling, school credit, and counselor support. All three Tehama County high schools participate. |
| Host Employers: Bell-Carter Foods, PJ Helicopters, Crain Walnut Shelling, Red Bluff High School District | Paid on-the-job training, mentorship, safety supervision, and skills evaluation. |
| Expect More Tehama | Backbone and project partner: supporting facilitation, stakeholder engagement, cross-sector alignment, communications, storytelling, and development of project resources. |
| California Jobs First | Catalyst Grant funding to pilot and expand innovative work-based learning models. |