The annual National Youth Apprenticeship Summit, co-hosted by CareerWise and the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship, was held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis over three days in September. Over 300 educators, business leaders, lawmakers, and apprenticeship intermediaries joined together to explore the present and future of youth apprenticeship in America.

Brent Parton, President of CareerWise USA, opened the event by expressing optimism about the growing movement: “I’m more optimistic now than ever that youth apprenticeship will scale in America. There are resources to accelerate startups and opportunities to connect, learn, and grow to make this movement widespread.”

Summit attendees were also able to visit local companies in Indianapolis where youth apprentices are currently employed, including the Indianapolis Airport Authority, Plastic Recycling Inc., OneAmerica Financial Partners, and the LAN Network. These site visits provided a unique opportunity to learn about each company’s policies on hiring youth apprentices, hear directly from students about their experiences, and tour the workplaces.

Jennie Niles, founder and CEO of CityWorks DC, remarked, “The National Youth Apprenticeship Summit was absolutely terrific; it was an incredible group of people doing some of the most impactful youth development work in the country. And a special hats off to Indiana for what they’ve accomplished over the last 6+ years and for their new statewide strategic plan which is a model for all of us.”

Marie Mackintosh, CEO of EmployIndy, shared her pride in hosting the event in Indianapolis, “It was an honor to host the CareerWise National Youth Apprenticeship Summit in the racing capital of the world! Welcoming current and future practitioners to discuss the rapid growth of apprenticeships was inspiring. This movement is transforming not only our local business and educational landscapes but also shaping the future of the talent pipeline!”

The Summit underscored the pivotal role apprenticeships play in shaping a more inclusive workforce. Attendees explored how to strengthen programs, scale opportunities, and build connections between businesses and educational institutions, all while focusing on preparing the next generation for success.