South Carolina Technical College System Apprenticeship Carolina Youth Apprenticeships

Program Description: 

Apprenticeship Carolina, a division of the South Carolina Technical College System, supports youth apprenticeships that provide high-school age students and recent high school graduates with an opportunity to gain real-world, on-the-job paid training while either completing their high school education or receiving job-related classroom instruction at a technical college. By partnering with local technical colleges and businesses, the apprenticeship program tailors learning experiences to the needs of area employers.  
 
Graduating is a requirement of participating in the program, and program participants report higher academic performance. They are able to earn a wage (that scales as they gain skills) and learn in-demand skills that will help them enter the workforce. Students also receive tuition assistance if they wish to pursue certifications or community college coursework related to their apprenticeships. They also receive career and academic counseling. 
 
Employers get the opportunity to build a recruitment pipeline and reduce employee turnover. Additionally, employers are offered tax credits for each apprentice. Apprenticeships are offered in a variety of fields: from construction, to nursing and pharmacy, to industrial mechanics, to baking and culinary arts. 

Impact:

Students who participate in these programs receive multiple years of paid employment and mentoring in their field of choice. They gain two years of work experience before graduating high school. Many of the partner colleges offer a year or more of free college credit to apprentices who successfully complete their programs. Students also receive national credentials from the US Department of Labor. Students who complete apprenticeships enter the job market more competitively than their peers, and often earn more at the first post-apprenticeship job. 

Population Served: 

Students who wish to enter the workforce in fields that require technical certifications or associates’ degrees. 

Learn more here.

Page last updated in August 2026