Students

Regional employers are offering rising high school juniors, seniors and graduating seniors from Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties the opportunity to "learn and earn."

Are you interested in becoming a Youth Apprentice?

• Two years of paid employment and mentoring from an industry professional
• High school diploma
• One year of college credit from TTC FREE OF CHARGE!
• National Credentials from U.S. Department of Labor
• Two Years of Work Experience
• Marketable skills for life

Below are the steps and information about the Youth Apprenticeship event at Trident Technical College. 

1. Watch the recording of the presentation.
2. If you are interested in the program, meet with your counselor at your school to discuss the requirements including getting signed up for a qualifying placement test. This test will allow you to take college courses while in high school.
3. Complete the application (check downloads) and all other documentation needed and email COMPLETED packet to Ellen Kaufman

Youth apprentices receive paid on-the-job training along with related classroom instruction at Trident Technical College. The costs associated with the youth apprenticeship college courses are covered by the program for students who are hired by participating companies. This is a two-year program, and applicants must be able to commit to the full two years if they are hired.

Two-year apprenticeships include these occupational pathways:*

• Industrial Mechanics
• Culinary Arts
• CNA/Pre-Nursing
• Machine Tool Technology
• Hotel Operations
• Medical Office Assistant
• Computer Networking
• Bookkeeping/Pre-Accounting
• HVAC
• Automotive Technology*
• Civil CAD Technician
• Welding
• Cybersecurity
• Security/Pre-Law Enforcement*
• IT Governance
• PLTW Engineering Assistant (Engineer and Technician Pathways)

*Must have a valid S.C. driver's license
Not all pathways may be active during the spring hiring cycle.

Students who complete the two-year program receive:

• Paid employment and mentoring from an industry professional
• A high school diploma (for those still taking high school classes)
• Approximately 30 college credits from TTC free of charge
• A completion certificate for coursework that may be applied to an associate degree
• National credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor
• Two years of work experience
• Marketable skills for life

To be eligible, a student must:

• Be a rising junior or senior (at least 16 years of age) or a graduating senior
• Achieve qualifying placement test scores*
• Demonstrate academic readiness and responsibility
• Have reliable transportation to work and to school
• Be legally able to enroll in post-secondary education and work in the United States

*PLTW applicants also have high school course requirements

Youth Apprenticeship Application Packet Checklist & Application (PDF)

A youth apprenticeship is an exciting and valuable opportunity for your high school student, and we want you to be as informed as possible about this two-year program. Just as sports or other extracurricular activities typically demand some degree of parental involvement for a student to be successful, a youth apprenticeship also requires some commitment from parents or guardians.

Learn and Earn
This is a “learn and earn” opportunity and students must be hired by one of the participating employers in order to become youth apprentices. All hiring decisions are made by the employers. Trident Technical College does not place applicants with companies, and students must be prepared to go on job interviews and regularly check their phone and email messages. You can help by reminding them to check their messages.

Additionally, youth apprentices who are no longer in high school must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

It Can Be Competitive
As with any job search and application process, there is no guarantee that a student will be hired. For example, in apprenticeship pathways such as Information Technology (Networking, Computer Programming, Cybersecurity and IT Governance), there are often more qualified applicants than available opportunities. This is not to discourage interested students from applying, but it is a competitive program. Some areas are more competitive than others. You can help your student maintain a realistic perspective when applying by discussing options.

This is a Two-Year Commitment
Once a student is hired as a youth apprentice, he or she makes a good faith, two-year commitment to the employer and to the corresponding TTC certificate program. Even if a youth apprentice moves through the college curriculum at an accelerated pace, companies are hiring with the expectation that the apprentice will be with them for the full two years of the program.

Reliable Transportation is Required
Youth apprentices must have reliable transportation to work and to the appropriate TTC campus for classes. This may mean a parent or other responsible licensed driver needs to provide rides to work and school. Any student who applies for an Automotive or Security/PreLaw Enforcement apprenticeship must have a valid South Carolina driver’s license.

Grades and Attendance Matter
Youth apprentices are required to be successful in their TTC courses, and you can help by checking in periodically with your student about how she or he is doing in class. Youth apprentices are expected to attend every class session and complete all assignments by their due date, and those taking online courses are expected to be active participants and meet all deadlines and requirements. Youth apprentices who fail a required course will be responsible for the cost of retaking it, and failing grades may jeopardize their continuation in the program and/or their eligibility to receive S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance.

Expect Some Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Some examples of anticipated expenses include:

1. Transportation
2. Background checks (CNA/Pre-Nursing, EMT)
3. Vaccinations/physicals (CNA/Pre-Nursing, EMT)
4. Uniform (EMT)
5. Appropriate footwear (CNA/Pre-Nursing, EMT, Culinary, Manufacturing, Automotive, etc.)
6. State licensing/exam fees (EMT, CNA/Pre-Nursing)

Youth Apprentices May Take Additional Classes
Youth apprentices may take TTC courses beyond those required by their apprenticeship, but the cost of tuition, fees and any textbooks and supplies for those courses will be the financial responsibility of the student. Please be sure you and your student understand the costs you may incur before enrolling in courses outside of the youth apprenticeship curriculum.

The Youth Apprenticeship Curriculum Leads to a Certificate from TTC
The required courses in each apprenticeship pathway lead to a TTC certificate in a career-specific field. This is not an associate degree program. Youth apprentices may take additional courses leading to a two-year degree, but those costs are not covered by the Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeship Program.

When You Have More Questions:

Ellen Kaufman
Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator

Ashley Creson
Youth Apprenticeship Support Specialist

Financial Aid:
Most students who have completed high school are eligible for federal and state funding (i.e. Federal Pell, SC LIFE, SCLTA, etc.) and may be eligible for other scholarships. After you receive confirmation that your FAFSA has been processed, log in to your TTC account and access FA Self Service to see your individually tailored financial aid page. You will see the results of your FAFSA, a listing of any additional requirements that may apply to you, and once awarded, the listing of your aid and information related to receiving for the current year, and renewing in the future.

Remember to always check your secure TTC email. To ensure your privacy, that is the primary form of communication for the financial aid office. Financial aid specific to the youth apprenticeship program will be calculated after other funding has been applied. Please note that Youth Apprentices taking courses beyond those in the apprenticeship program may be responsible for additional educational expenses. SC LIFE has minimum credit hour requirements. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress:
Federal Student Aid regulations require students to make progress toward graduation in order to continue to receive assistance for educational expenses. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requires you to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and to pass 67% of the courses you take. If you are struggling or feeling unsure about your progress, please contact the Division of School and Community Initiatives at 843.574.6990 at the first sign of an issue. We cannot help you if we do not know that you need assistance.

Failed or Withdrawn Classes:
Students who fail or withdraw from a course in the program will need to repeat and successfully complete the course in order to finish the apprenticeship. Scholarships for the youth apprenticeship program may not be available for more than one course attempt.

Covered Expenses:
Educational expenses related to Youth Apprenticeship courses are covered including instructional fees, tuition, books
and materials.

• Bookstore Expenses: Students go to the Bookstore to obtain the books and materials related to their apprenticeship. An email with instructions on how and when to do this will be sent before the start of the Financial Aid Open Charge Period each term and semester. The cost of these books and materials will be charged to the student’s account, which will be covered by a scholarship. All additional purchases not related to the apprenticeship program must be made in a separate transaction. 
• Employer Expenses: Work-related expenses may be required by employers (for example: drug tests, health screenings, uniforms, and personal safety items such as footwear and glasses). Please note that these work-related items are not covered by the youth apprenticeship scholarship.

Billing:
TTC delivers tuition bills to students online through the student’s my.tridenttech.edu Portal account. Please note that Youth Apprentices are not subject to the published TTC payment deadlines and should not make payment at the beginning of the semester. Final payments should be made after all financial aid and appropriate scholarships are awarded. Students are responsible for monitoring their financial account and ensuring payment is made for courses outside of the youth apprenticeship prior to the end of each semester. 

• Arrive on Time
  First impressions matter! Practice your route the day before the interview. This will help you determine the best time to leave on the day of the interview. Get to your interview 15 minutes early. When in doubt, leave a little earlier.
   
• Dress Appropriately
  Wear business casual attire such as khakis and a nice, collared shirt, or a tailored top and knee-length skirt. A good rule of thumb is “when in doubt, cover up.” If you wear makeup, it should be subtle and natural looking—no neon green lipstick!
   
• Prepare
  Familiarize yourself with the company’s history. Look at the company’s web site and come up with a few questions to ask your interviewer so it isn’t a one-sided conversation.
   
• Watch Your Body Language
  Everybody gets nervous in job interviews. The key is to not show it. Sit still during the job interviewer. Sit up straight, maintain eye contact and have a firm handshake. Even if you feel like a nervous wreck, you want to look calm and professional.
   
• Practice Interview Questions
  Employers use your interview answers to gauge how successful you would be at the job. Start practicing a week before your interview and have a few answers prepared. Here are some common questions you may encounter as an interviewee:
  • "Tell me a little about yourself.”
    Employers ask this to get a sense of your skills, interests and experience. (They aren’t asking about your pets or taste in music.) Use this question to talk about your plans for the present and the future. Keep your answer brief and relevant to the job to make a good impression.
     
  • “Why do you want to work for us?”
    Here is where you can mention something you learned about the company while you were researching it online. This is also a chance to explain why you’re a good fit for the job. Answer the question to emphasize the talents that you could bring to the team and to highlight something about this employer that makes you want to work there.
     
  • “Why should I hire and train you?”
    Why are you the best choice out of all the applicants? This can be a hard question to answer, but it’s your chance to sell yourself and make a great impression. Emphasize your enthusiasm for learning and willingness to work hard.
• You’ve got this
  The best advice we can give you is to take a deep breath. Staying calm and preparing ahead of time will make you stand out and shine. And just because you’re prepared doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be yourself! Job interviews are your chance to show employers what it would be like working with you. Show your real self so they can hire the real you.

Apprenticeships are flexible training programs that cultivate well-educated, highly skilled workers able to meet the demands of a competitive global economy. Youth apprenticeships are open to high school juniors, seniors and graduating seniors, giving them the opportunity to earn while they learn through paid on-the-job training under the direction of an industry mentor. Youth apprentices also take college classes that directly relate to their apprenticeship. The demands of the program are significant, but so are the rewards.

Your high school schedule may have to be adjusted to accommodate the college courses you will be taking at TTC. Youth apprentices usually take high school classes in the mornings and their TTC classes in the afternoons or evenings. Your high school counselor will work with you to ensure you meet all of your academic goals and that you are on track to graduate with your high school diploma.

Probably not. There simply won’t be room in your schedule. Becoming a youth apprentice requires a serious commitment of time, effort and energy. You will be working a minimum of five hours per week for your employer during the academic year and then full time during the summer between the two years of the program. In addition to regular high school classes, youth apprentices take a specific sequence of college courses each semester throughout the two years. The program is designed for motivated students interested in gaining work experience, on-the-job and in-the-classroom training, and professional connections while still in high school.

Qualifying placement test scores and a complete application packet are only the first steps. You have to be called for a job interview by one of the participating employers and then receive and accept a job over. YOU MUST BE HIRED BY ONE OF THE PARTICIPATING COMPANIES TO BECOME A YOUTH APPRENTICE.

If you have more questions or need help getting started or completing the application, email Ellen Kaufman in the Division of School and Community Initiatives at ellen.kaufman@tridenttech.edu.