Business and Unsual: Building Tomorrow's Workforce Through Youth Apprenticeships in the United States

Businesses across the United States are facing growing labour shortages, while many young people struggle to find meaningful first jobs that provide experience without compromising their education.

Our US Youth Development Programme (known as The Centre’s Access to Decent Work for Youth programme outside the US) is designed to address both challenges. Funded by Cargill and implemented in partnership with local organisations, the programme helps businesses develop their future workforce through paid youth apprenticeships that combine education, technical training and hands-on workplace experience. Already operating in Kansas and Virginia, the programme is demonstrating how collaboration between businesses, schools and communities can create opportunities that benefit everyone.

How the programme works

The Youth Development Programme brings together employers, schools, colleges and workforce development partners to create structured apprenticeship opportunities for 16- and 17-year-olds.

Young people stay in education while gaining paid work experience in age-appropriate, non-hazardous roles. Alongside practical workplace learning, they receive technical training and support to develop the skills needed for long-term careers.

Businesses, meanwhile, gain early access to motivated young talent and the opportunity to build a stronger pipeline of future skilled workers.

A collaborative approach

The programme is delivered with local partners who understand the needs of their communities. In Dodge City, Kansas, we work alongside the Rural Education and Workforce Alliance (REWA), local schools, Dodge City Community College and participating employers. In Virginia, the programme is delivered in partnership with the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Development Board.

Together, these partners help ensure that young people, families and businesses receive the support they need for apprenticeships to succeed.

Investing in the next generation

The programme reflects a simple idea: investing in young people is also an investment in business.

Participating employers help develop future employees with industry-relevant skills, while young people gain paid work experience, recognised qualifications and clearer pathways into long-term careers.

"We pay for the apprenticeship, the college time, and the study time because investing in young people is investing in our future workforce. If we want the next generation workforce, we need to help build it." - Scott Beatty, Owner and CEO, Curtis Machine

As more employers become involved, the model has the potential to strengthen local workforces while expanding opportunities for young people across the United States.

Read the case study

To mark the programme's progress, we have published “Business as Unusual in Dodge City”, a new case study exploring how the Youth Development Programme is already making a difference in Kansas.

The publication features insights from employers, educators, workforce development partners and apprentices, illustrating how collaboration is helping build the next generation workforce.

Download the case study