Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeships

Regional employers are offering rising high school juniors, seniors and graduating seniors who are students in the tri-county area the opportunity to "learn and earn." Youth apprentices receive paid on-the-job training along with related classroom instruction at Trident Technical College. The costs associated with the youth apprenticeship college courses are covered by the program for students who are hired by participating companies.

THIS IS A TWO-YEAR PROGRAM AND APPLICANTS MUST BE ABLE TO COMMIT TO THE FULL TWO YEARS IF THEY ARE HIRED. THE YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP IS NOT AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM.

 

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Youth Apprenticeships

The annual Youth Apprenticeship Information Session will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 in the College Center (Bldg. 920) on Thornley Campus. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. Two identical presentations will be given, one at 9 a.m. and the other at 10:30 a.m. Participating employers will be on hand to meet and greet interested students. The session is open to the public and no registration is required. ALL INTERESTED STUDENTS AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND!

Please email any questions to YouthApprenticeship@tridenttech.edu.

 

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2026 PATHWAYS:

• 2026 Pathways: To Be Announced

 

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Students who participate in and complete the two-year program will receive:

• Two years of paid employment and mentoring from an industry professional
• One year of college credit from TTC free of charge
• National credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor
• Two years of work experience
• Marketable skills for life

Nail your youth apprenticeship employer interview with this helpful Interview Tips for Teens guide.

 

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Requirements

To be eligible for a two-year youth apprenticeship, a student must:

To start the process, students must complete the application including proof of college readiness via one of the following: Accuplacer, SAT, ACT, PSAT, Pre-ACT, or an unofficial copy of their high school transcript.

YOUTH APPRENTICES WHO ARE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL MUST BE ABLE TO ARRANGE AN EARLY OUT TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR WORK AND COLLEGE COURSE SCHEDULE. SOME REQUIRED COLLEGE COURSES WILL BEGIN AS EARLY AS NOON!

*GRADUATING SENIORS MUST FILE FAFSA

• Be a rising junior, senior or graduating senior
• Be at least 16 years of age by June 1, 2025
• Achieve qualifying ACCUPLACER Placement Test scores*
• Be willing and able to commit to the full two years of the program
• Demonstrate academic readiness and responsibility
• Be legally able to work in the U.S. and receive post-secondary education

*Qualifying SAT, ACT, PSAT and Pre-ACT scores will also be accepted. We will also review an unofficial copy of the high school transcript to see if it meets the college's alternative placement options.

For more information, email YouthApprenticeship@tridenttech.edu.

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Important Links

• ACCUPLACER Test Score Requirements
• Financial Information Flyer
• Information for Parents
• Frequently Asked Questions

Interview Tips for Teens

Youth Apprenticeship Application - New Fillable PDFs

PLTW Youth Apprenticeship Application - New Fillable PDFs

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Youth Apprenticeship Success Stories

 

Signing Day 2024

 

Signing Day 2023

 

Signing Day 2022

 

Signing Day 2021

 

Signing Day 2020

 

Youth Apprentices at Work: Patriots Point

 

Youth Apprentices at Work: Gerald's Tires and Brakes

 

Youth Apprentices at Work: Hendrick Toyota North Charleston

 

Youth Apprentices at Work: Wild Dunes

 

Youth Apprentices at Work: Magnolias

 

Youth Apprentices at Work: Roper St. Francis

 

Youth Apprentices at Work: Slightly North of Broad

 

Youth Apprentices at Work: TeamLogicIT