Apprenticeship Offers the Skills and Degree Needed for In-Demand Careers 

How do I guide all of my students to a successful career path after graduation?

Helping high school students prepare for life after graduation is a big responsibility. You want to help each student pursue a path that fits their skills and interests and sets them up for success, yet you know a 4-year college experience isn’t for everyone. 

A nationally recognized youth apprenticeship program, which is offered in Rockingham County, provides another pathway to promising, in-demand careers. The Rockingham Apprenticeship and Technical Opportunities Program (RockATOP) is built on a successful model, which has been used by communities throughout the United States and Europe. Local forward-thinking companies have adopted apprenticeship as a vital way to fill valued, skilled positions and train the next generation of leaders.

Apprenticeship Offers Career and College with No Debt

With an apprenticeship students will:

• Get paid to learn real-world skills
• Earn an associate’s degree with no debt 
• May have the option to continue studies to earn a bachelor’s degree
• Become ready for career advancement
• Gain experience in an advanced field of their choice

Early Career Start Equals Financial Stability

High school students are able to start the 4-5 year apprenticeship program the summer after their junior or senior year. Apprenticeships let students get a jump start on learning career skills and earning money. Students will: 

• Finish high school classes while also starting college classes at no cost
• Earn pay while learning on the job and for time attending college classes 
• Learn skills that are in high demand and that will prepare them for career advancement

Discover more about how apprenticeship works. 

What Types of Students are the Best Match?

Bright, motivated students that thrive in a hands-on learning environment are typically a good fit for an apprenticeship program. Students should also be responsible, organized, and willing to learn both technical skills and broader workplace skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. 

Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of fields, from information technology, teacher assistant, office administration, robotics, electrical/electronics, mechanics, lean manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing. 

How to Help Students Explore Apprenticeship

If you have a student that you think would be a good match for the Rockingham Apprenticeship and Technical Opportunities Program,  you can help them explore this growing career pathway. Learn how students can apply.