Youth Apprenticeship
A Rhode Island youth apprenticeship strategy
The PrepareRI Youth Apprenticeship Program (PRIYA) is an opportunity for students to “earn while you learn” and begin on a pathway to Registered Apprenticeship while still in high school.
Are you a student between 16 - 18 working towards your GED?
PRIYA is launching a new version of the PAID apprenticeship program just for you!
CLICK HERE and someone will reach out to you to talk more.
PRIYA consists of three key components: paid work with an industry partner in a high-demand field, the opportunity to take college courses that directly relate to the employment experience, and a pathway to pursue both college and career after high school graduation through Registered Apprenticeship. In addition to this, PRIYA builds in community connection and relationship building through monthly workshops where students get to interact with and learn from each other and share their experiences.
Employer-led, Demand Driven paid Work Experiences
PRIYA begins with the employers, who represent high-demand fields and offer career pathways to Registered Apprenticeship. In addition, these employers bring a commitment to mentoring, a desire to develop career pipelines and commitment to working together with students, schools, colleges and the broader community.
When working with traditional high schools, each industry partner is connected with relevant CTE programs in the state, and collaborates with them to ensure that work schedules are feasible for high school students. When forming partnerships with schools, PRIYA has an eye on equity and works to recruit students who have been underrepresented in early college coursework and work-based learning opportunities in addition to eliminating barriers to participation.
Check out our 2021 industry partners below!
Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association / Environmental Pathway
Saint Elizabeth Community / Healthcare Pathway
Vertikal6 / Information Technology Pathway
The Children’s Workshop / Early Childhood Education Pathway
Related College Courses- FREE!! - While in High School
PRIYA students are able to take one college course a semester beginning in the Spring of their junior year. These courses are paid for by the PrepareRI Dual Enrollment fund and are offered sequentially based on each industry track. Students begin by taking Business 1000: Workplace Relationships as a PRIYA cohort through CCRI before moving into paid work during the summer and industry-specific courses during their senior year. Course sequences are designed to integrate with a student’s high school schedule and are collaboratively designed by industry, college, and CTE program representative.
Below is the PRIYA course sequence:
Pathway to College and Career through Registered Apprenticeship
Every Registered Apprenticeship in every industry includes five common components:
Employer designed and driven
Structured on-the-job learning
Job related education
Wage progression
Valued and nationally recognized credentials
Equity at the center.
PRIYA embraces diversity in lived experience, background, and culture. We believe that our uniqueness adds to and supports learning for everyone.
PrIYA RESOURCES AND materials
Program Flyers / Folletos del programa:
PRIYA Application (preview)
Solicitud para PRIYA (el preestreno)