Pre-apprenticeships introduce young people 16+ to career pathways and connect them to Registered Apprenticeship Programs. As part of the NIWL’s Apprenticeship Programs, we partnered with the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) to create pre-apprenticeship opportunities in youth services and mental health counseling.
NIWL’s pre-apprenticeships provide awareness of career paths, opportunities to build workplace skills, and access to the education and training needed to succeed. Through pre-apprenticeships, youth can explore career options while practicing essential skills in career and workplace readiness.
NIWL’s Registered Apprenticeships are supported by the Employment Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor as part of an ABA2 grant award totaling $8 million with 0% financed from non-governmental sources.
Pre-apprenticeship Curricula
NIWL will make available curricula that organizations can use to establish or grow their own pre-apprenticeship programs. An example drawn from NIWL’s Youth Development Practitioner pre-apprenticeship curriculum is shown in the graphic to the right.
Learn more about our curriculums below and see what else you can do to make your program a quality experience for pre-apprentices.
Youth Development
Along with our partners, NIWL is developing a curriculum aligned to the Youth Development Practitioner Pre-apprenticeship. Participants will develop essential workplace skills such as collaboration and problem solving as they’re introduced to key concepts in youth services like positive youth development. Pre-apprentices will also have the opportunity to explore careers that work with youth. This curriculum is now available to organizations to implement with groups of young people, including summer camps, schools and colleges, after school and outside of school programs, and more. Complete our interest form to learn more.
In addition to the curriculum, NIWL will provide onboarding sessions and technical assistance resources for facilitators, and a digital credential for students who complete the curriculum.
Mental Health
Our partner NYEC is launching a pre-apprenticeship curriculum introducing students mental health counseling and related career paths. Pre-apprentices will practice essential skills such as communication and active listening while learning about key concepts in mental health such as mental wellness and resilience. Pre-apprentices will also have the opportunity to explore careers in mental health.
This curriculum is now available to organizations to implement with groups of young people, including summer camps, schools and colleges, after school and outside of school programs, and more.
Interested in adding a pre-apprenticeship curriculum to your programming? Potential facilitators and navigators should complete the form linked below to learn more and find out if you’re eligible!
More curriculums are coming soon! Keep an eye out for new opportunities for young people interested in exploring careers while they build new skills in health, education, and social service fields!
Why Pre-apprenticeship?
While apprenticeships create affordable pathways into high-quality careers, pre-apprenticeships provide young people ages 16 and up the opportunity to explore and learn about career options before committing to a particular apprenticeship. At 40-42 hours total, our curricula give students a sneak peek into a variety of mental health and youth-serving careers while building their resumes. Additionally, pre-apprenticeships connect students with Registered Apprenticeships so that they can continue the path toward their chosen career.
Interested in learning more about our pre-apprenticeship?
FHI 360’s NIWL is part of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative, which seeks to create a national network of employers, labor organizations, industry associations, program sponsors, educators, workforce intermediaries, minority serving organizations, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to serve as champions for expanding and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship.
