CareerWise Elkhart County

Of the 2,500 students who graduate from Elkhart County Schools each year, only about 45 percent enroll in postsecondary education the year after high school, and only 32 percent complete an associate or bachelor’s degree within six years. To address this community challenge, CareerWise Elkhart County, an initiative of Horizon Education Alliance, a nonprofit organization created by education, business, and community leaders in Elkhart County, Indiana, offers 2-to-3-year paid apprenticeships to high school students who earn high school credit, postsecondary credit, and an industry recognized credential.

Since its launch in 2019, 81 high school students have participated in the apprenticeship program. Seventeen have completed the full credential from the U.S. Department of Labor, and of those, 100 percent have secured employment related to their apprenticeship or enrolled in postsecondary education. Numbers are growing, and there are currently 40 apprentices in the program.