Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeships

 

Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeship Program

Local employers are offering high school juniors, seniors and soon-to-graduate seniors in the tricounty area an opportunity to “learn and earn.” Applicants who are hired as youth apprentices by a participating employer will receive paid on-the-job training along with related classroom instruction at Trident Technical College. The costs for those specific college courses at TTC will be free of charge to youth apprentices.

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.

Please email any questions to YouthApprenticeship@tridenttech.edu.

 

2026 PATHWAYS:

  • Automotive Service Technician - applications closed
  • Baking and Pastry - applications closed
  • Culinary Arts - applications closed
  • Computer Support Specialist* (math placement required) - applications closed
  • Engineering Assistant* (math placement required) - applications closed
  • Facilities Maintenance* (new) - applications closed
  • Hotel Associate - applications closed
  • HVAC Technician* (must be able to work at least three full days per week between Monday and Friday) - applications closed
  • Industrial Mechanics - applications closed
  • Machine Tool Technology - applications closed
  • Mechatronics* (math placement required) - applications closed
  • Medical Laboratory Assistant* (math placement required) - applications closed
  • Medical Office Assistant* (administrative position) - applications closed
  • Pharmacy Technician* (math placement required) - applications closed
  • Plumber (must be able to work 30-40 hours per week during the day Monday through Friday) - applications closed
  • Pre-Nursing Certified Nurse Aide – Long-term Care Facility track - applications closed
  • Pre-Nursing Patient Care Technician – Hospital track* (math placement required) - applications closed
  • Security/Pre-Law Enforcement - applications closed
  • Supply Chain Analyst - applications closed
  • Welding - applications closed

 

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

  • Two years of paid employment and mentoring from an industry professional
  • College credits related to their industry pathway and/or college-level workforce training from TTC free of charge
  • Nationally recognized completion credential 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.

 

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.

ALL Pre-Nursing youth apprentices (Hospital track, Long-Term Care track, and Assisted Living track) must be available for CNA training that will begin in early June, and PCT training that will begin in July. NO EXCEPTIONS.

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, 2027. (Some employers/pathways may require applicants to be 18 years of age.)
  • 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.

Apply Online

View apprenticeship openings and fill out the online application for Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeships.

Download and fill out a copy of the Youth Apprenticeship Program Applicant Release of Information form to upload with you application above. You are also encouraged to complete and submit a Media Consent form with your application.

Important Links

Youth Apprenticeship Success Stories

Jessica-Garcia-at-work.jpg

 

Signing Day 2026

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

 

 

Youth Apprenticeship Descriptions

For a list of youth apprenticeship occupational pathways, click here.

Ambassadors Recognition Coin

Trident Technical College is an Apprenticeship Ambassador from the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) first cohort of Ambassadors to strengthen and expand Registered Apprenticeship. This Digital Coin recognizes the achievements as an Ambassador.