STEM Apprenticeship
Nebraska Department of Education in partnership with Northeast Community College, Nebraska Department of Labor, Pathways 2 Tomorrow, Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Wayne State College have received funding to assist with expanding youth apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities in the state of Nebraska.
Our mission is to expand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities for youth in Nebraska ages 16-24.
We are looking for businesses as well as schools to partner with us in these efforts to create a strong talent pipeline for today’s youth. Contact us to learn more about how you can get involved.
What is apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high quality career pathway where businesses can develop and prepare their future workforce and students can obtain paid work experience along with classroom instruction. If the program is registered with the United States Department of Labor students will receive a nationally recognized credential upon completion of the program.
Apprenticeship is a flexible training strategy that can be customized to meet the needs of businesses. It can be integrated into current training and human resource development strategies.
Apprentices can be new hires – or businesses can select current employees to join the apprenticeship program. Apprenticeships are a good way to reward high-performing entry-level employees and move them up the career ladder within the business.
| Apprenticeship | Internship | |
| Length of Time | Long-term (1-3 years) | Typically, short-term (1-3 months) |
| Structure | Structured training plan, with a focus on mastering specific skills an employer needs to fill a position. | Typically, aren’t structured and often focus on entry-level or project-based experience |
| Mentorship | Apprentices are partnered with an experienced mentor who walks them through the process | Doesn’t always include a one-on-one mentor |
| Pay | Paid Experiences | Not always paid, although we do recommend paid experiences |
| Credential | Leads to an industry-recognized credential | May or may not lead to an industry-recognized credential |
| College Credit | Leads to credit towards a degree | May lead to credit towards a degree |
Benefits
Experience
You get relevant work experience while in high school/college.
Free tuition
Many companies cover the cost of tuition and fees for apprenticeship-related instruction.
In-demand credentials
Upon completing an apprenticeship program, you’ll earn a nationally recognized credential that is transportable if you change jobs.
Higher income
As employees of the companies that sponsor apprenticeships, apprentices receive incremental raises and, in many cases, company benefits.
Value
Apprenticeship is an investment in you by an employer. Your future career success then becomes their return on investing in you.
Career Advancement
A way to move to a higher-level job in one’s current field or transition between careers while still earning an income.
How to Get Started
Contact Nebraska Department of Education to learn about youth apprenticeship opportunities in your area.
Jacqui Garrison
Communication and Information
Systems Career Field Specialist
Nebraska Department of Education
Jacqui.garrison@nebraska.gov
Therese Marzouk
Career and Technical Education
Specialist/Partnerships
Nebraska Department of Education
therese.marzouk@nebraska.gov
Resources
- For additional information on registered apprenticeship visit Nebraska Department of Labor
- Opportunities available through Northeast Community College
- Detailed list of apprentice-able occupations
Benefits
- Establish job training standards and expectations
- Develop loyal, skilled employees who value company culture
- Nurture your own pipeline of talent for hard-to-fill positions
- Validate your workforce as nationally registered journeymen
- The cultivation of a well-trained, talented workforce that is productive from the start
- The opportunity to train workers using the exact pieces of equipment, protocols and procedures that are relevant to your business
- Increased employee retention and advancement
- An opportunity to maintain institutional knowledge when soon-to-retire workers and recent retirees serve as instructors and mentors to new workers
- A financial return on investment that averages around $1.40 earned for every dollar spent on the program
How to Get Started
- Contact an apprenticeship coordinator.
- Work with the apprenticeship coordinator to determine what career paths you are looking to build a registered apprenticeship program for.
- Determine what skills your apprentice needs to have for the desired career field. The apprenticeship coordinator can assist you with this.
- With the help of the apprenticeship coordinator develop your apprenticeship program.
- Submit your apprenticeship program to United States Department of Labor for approval and to be registered. (optional)
- With the help of the apprenticeship coordinator promote your apprenticeship program to career seekers.
Contact Information for Apprenticeship Coordinators
Elliott Cain
Nebraska Department of Labor
Elliott.Cain@nebraska.gov
(402) 429-2993
Kimberly Andersen
Northeast Community College
Kander61@northeast.edu
(402) 844-7121
Cheryl Kreikemeier
ESU 2
ckreikemeier@esu2.org
Resources
- Additional information on registered apprenticeship provided by Nebraska Department of Labor
- Detailed list of apprentice-able occupations
- How to partner with Northeast Community College
Benefits
- STEM Youth Apprenticeship would make a great addition to a school’s high-quality WBL program. WBL is one of the Nebraska CTE Strategic Priorities established in response in response to the Perkins V areas of emphasis.
- Offers invaluable opportunities for students to get on-the-job training that supplements what they are learning in the classroom
- Gives students preparation to enter a job with experience, training, and knowledge of the field and what is expected of them as an employee
- Potential for students to earn college credit while still in high school.
How to Get Started
Contact Nebraska Department of Education to learn about youth apprenticeship opportunities in your area and how you can get involved.
Jacqui Garrison
Communication and Information
Systems Career Field Specialist
Nebraska Department of Education
Jacqui.garrison@nebraska.gov
Therese Marzouk
Career and Technical Education
Specialist/Partnerships
Nebraska Department of Education
therese.marzouk@nebraska.gov
Resources
- Pathways 2 Tomorrow Workplace Experiences Handbook