Earn While You Learn
Jumpstart your career through work-based learning! GPS Education Partners offers technical education and paid youth apprenticeships to high school juniors and seniors. You’ll be spending part of your day doing hands-on learning projects in a smaller classroom setting at our education center and the other part getting real-world work experience by working directly with one of our business partners.
What will GPS Education Partners’ students learn?
Through on-the-job training, students are able to gain mastery in the technical skills needed to prepare them for meaningful, productive careers. Paired with lessons, projects and classroom activities, students are also taught valuable life skills such as budgeting and money management, while growing soft skills such as teamwork, creative thinking and self-awareness. These character and leadership skills prepare students for lifelong success in and out of work.
Listen to our students share the amazing skills they have learned through their GPS Ed experience.
Curriculum
We’ll help you set your course and career path with our cutting-edge learning management system. Benefit from a competency-based, immersive learning experience aligned to educator and industry standards. Instead of grades, you earn credits for your work experiences. See a full list of our student curriculum and activities below.
CORE SUBJECTS
math
Basic operations with whole numbers, fractions and decimals
Applications of percents and ratios
Practical geometry
Workplace statistics
Pre-engineering math concepts related to algebra, advanced algebra and precalculus
science
Electronics
Physics
language arts
Reading comprehension
Oral and written communication
Business communications
Technical reading
social studies
Civics responsibility and engagement
Industrialization, technology and economics
Workplace psychology
CAREER + TECHNICAL EDUCATION
manufacturing
Safety in the workplace
Quality practices and measurement
Manufacturing processes
Maintenance
blueprint reading
Reading and interpreting manufacturing blueprints
Computing tolerance and featured dimensions
career exploration
Skill and interest evaluations
Application, resume and interviews
Business and school visits
Structured work-based experiences
apprenticeship training
Welding
Machining
Material processes
Industrial maintenance, installation and repair
PERSONAL LITERACIES
lifetime fitness
Physical health
Nutrition
Mental health
character + leadership
Community projects and service activities
Employability skills taught in the classroom and on-the-job
Teamwork and culture building activities
information technology
Digital citizenship
Research
Google applications
Communication and collaboration
financial literacy
Financial services
Money management and insurance
Investing
Loan terms and rental agreements
Beyond Youth Apprenticeship
GPS Ed is certified by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development so you’ll graduate with a youth apprenticeship certificate. You will also have the opportunity to earn a certified production technician designation from the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council.
All graduates earn a high school diploma from their home high school. Students are compensated for their work experience and their improved performance results directly in increased pay. Students can make between $12–$16 an hour.
Check out the wage increase and progression sheet for our Education Center & Youth Apprenticeship Program.
Check out all the amazing activities our students do in our program!
Can you picture yourself here?
Daily schedule and locations
Each student’s day is divided between classroom learning at a GPS Ed Education Center and work-based training at one of our many business partners. Check out an example of a typical student’s schedule on the right.
All learning and work are done outside of the student’s home school*. Academic lessons are delivered by a GPS Ed Technical Instructor and a mentor at the workplace is trained to assist students in their work-based training. Mentors also support, empower and teach students critical and applicable life-long skills.
*Schools interested in students remaining on-premise for academic lessons should contact GPS Ed for program customization
Download our 2022-2023 academic calendar below to be up to date on important events and dates for the year.
Still wondering if GPS Ed’s Education Center & Youth Apprenticeship Program is right for you?
Our program is perfect for students looking for:
- Small class sizes and personalized education
- Work-based learning
- Career acceleration in manufacturing and other technical fields
- You are or will soon be a Junior or Senior in High School
Ready to learn more? Great! We will work with your school to host an information session and/or we can invite you to join us at an upcoming webinar. Talk to your guidance counselor and contact enroll@gpsed.org.
Fall 2023 New Student Recruitment
To see a full list of our new student recruitment events download our Fall 2023 New Student Recruitment Timeline below or visit our events page to be up to date on important events and dates for the year.
Tour a classroom or business facility
We are now hosting in-person events at our local business partners. Please join us at your convenience for an opportunity to see and learn more about our program. Click below to see available tours.
*If you’d like to express interest in a tour, please call our enrollment team at 844-821-8118.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wisconsin Education Center & Youth Apprenticeship Program
What is the current application process?
For a timeline of all our upcoming recruitment events, click here.
We accept applications from students on a rolling basis throughout the year with a final deadline for each term listed on our application page. Students interested in a fall start will need to be an incoming junior or senior to be eligible to apply. We also accept applications from juniors interested in applying for our spring (January) semester. All individuals who apply are guaranteed an interview and admittance decision mailed within two weeks of the interview. Accepted students will be given information on attending a required registration prior to starting in our classrooms.
What does the academic calendar look like?
You can view and download our academic calendar here or find the academic calendar above next to the daily schedule and locations section.
Where do students attend class?
All of the education centers are located within the facilities of our business partners and operate according to their calendar. Students do not attend classes at their home high school; however, they can still participate in extracurricular activities at their home high schools. Learn more here.
What will GPS Ed students receive upon completing the program?
Upon completion, students will receive a high school diploma from their home high school along with a certificate of occupational proficiency in manufacturing from Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development. In addition, the students will have the opportunity to become certified production technicians through the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council. The students will also have on-the-job training and work experience highlighted in a professional portfolio.
What type of work do students do?
Each student will participate in up to three job rotations. The first is an exposure rotation where students experience a variety of career paths within manufacturing. The second is an experience rotation with the opportunity to dive a little deeper into an area of interest or skillset. The final is a credentialed rotation in which students may have the opportunity to earn technical college credits and/or credentials.
Do students get paid while participating in the program?
Yes, students have the opportunity to earn up to $20,000 or more while in the program.