The Mississippi Apprenticeship Program (MAP) will join other states and institutions across the nation to participate in the first Youth Apprenticeship Week (YAW) 2024 on May 5-11. YAW is a nationwide celebration that highlights the benefits and value of Registered Apprenticeship program opportunities for youth, ages 16-24.

Employers, educators, labor unions, and workforce professionals across the country are launching Registered Apprenticeship programs that allow youth to earn competitive wages while obtaining the relevant training and experience to start their careers. YAW is an opportunity for these stakeholders to host events to showcase how Registered Apprenticeship creates a sustainable pipeline of skilled and diverse talent across multiple industries such as cybersecurity, healthcare, gaming and graphic design, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, engineering, artificial intelligence, transportation, robotics and other in-demand occupations.

YAW is designed to increase awareness of apprenticeships among youth, educators, parents, state agencies, workforce partners, industry and to highlight the benefits of apprenticeships as a pathway to careers. YAW gives apprenticeship sponsors, career and technical education (CTE) programs, employers, labor unions, workforce agencies and other diverse partners the opportunity to showcase the value of Registered Apprenticeship programs for youth and gives youth apprentices a platform to highlight their apprenticeship experience.

For more information about the Mississippi Apprenticeship Program (MAP) and other Youth Apprenticeship Week activities that will happen across the state visit the US Department of Labor’s website, or follow us on social media.