CareerWise and the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) brought together educators, business leaders, and apprentices in Alexandria, VA, for the 2025 National Youth Apprenticeship Summit on December 4–5. Over two days, participants explored how youth apprenticeship can expand opportunity and create meaningful career pathways across the U.S.

The Summit offered unique networking and learning experiences. Attendees connected directly with apprentices during a happy hour at Thiesmann’s Bar and Restaurant and toured the Swiss Ambassador’s House to learn about Switzerland’s apprenticeship system. Apprentices from the U.S. and Switzerland shared firsthand insights into how these programs shape career paths.

One of the week’s highlights that provided attendees with tangible evidence that apprenticeships change lives came from CityWorks DC apprentice Jubei Brown-Weaver, who shared his personal journey and how apprenticeship transformed his entire family. “What an impressive young man! His remarks were powerful, and he closed by thanking us for our passion and urging us to keep going because ‘you are changing lives.’ I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room,” said Meredith Smith, Director of Alabama Office of Apprenticeship.

“The summit was a beautiful convening with big questions and courageous conversations all centered around how to open more doors for youth apprentices and learners in general,” added Brittany Brady, CEO of the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity. “This is what our collective work does. Supporting young leaders in the spaces they deserve to be in. Being honest on their behalf when they are not in the room. And being brave enough to show up and speak even when it may be challenging.”

Attendees also learned from leaders across the DMV region about expanding access to youth apprenticeship and fostering equitable economic opportunity. They joined a global conversation with Austrian Ambassador Petra Schneebauer and CareerWise President Brent Parton on innovations in apprenticeship systems. As Parton reflected, “What does it mean to achieve the American Dream? A generation of young people can’t see a path forward. Apprentice is about meeting young people at where they’re at so they can shape the future of America.” Participants explored strategies for delivering clear value to employers while maintaining strong outcomes for young people, and examined how state governments, including Colorado and Virginia, use policy to scale pathways to the middle class. The Summit also explored how youth apprenticeship and artificial intelligence can work together to prepare young people—and the employers who depend on them—for a rapidly evolving, tech-driven economy.

Reflecting on the Summit’s impact, Hector Gonzalez, Manager, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways for Career Launch Chicago at the City Colleges of Chicago, said, “As educational institutions face increasing challenges to career development initiatives designed to ensure equitable access to high-quality pathways like youth apprenticeship, we explored how intermediaries and employer partners can navigate this complex landscape. We had a candid discussion about maintaining our commitment to ALL students while building sustainable partnerships across our communities.”

The 2025 National Youth Apprenticeship Summit highlighted the power of collaboration—between educators, employers, policymakers, and apprentices themselves—to expand opportunities, strengthen pathways, and equip the next generation for meaningful, skills-based careers.

What does it mean to achieve the American Dream? A generation of young people can’t see a path forward. Apprentice is about meeting young people at where they’re at so they can shape the future of America.” – Brent Parton, President of CareerWise