County employers, district partners launch 18-week 'Craftsman Character' youth-apprenticeship pilot with local manufacturers

Local manufacturers, the Elkhorn Area School District and county workforce partners on Monday unveiled an 18-week youth-apprenticeship pilot that will rotate six high-school students through local employer sites and a weekly classroom led by trained facilitators from the Craftsman Character program.

Organizers said the program combines a Friday classroom focused on character, communication and work-readiness with Monday–Thursday shop-floor rotations at sponsoring manufacturers. Employers that committed mentor time include local precision and fabrication firms; several manufacturers said they will host a student for multi-week rotations and provide on-site mentoring and basic safety equipment. Gateway Technical College will support college-level follow-up training for students who pursue credentials.

Why this matters: Presenters said the effort responds to a regional skills shortage in manufacturing and to employer requests for entry-level workers who show workplace character and reliability as well as basic skills. Organizers noted national and local investments in scaling the model and said the U.S. Navy submarine program has provided funding to expand the program nationally; the county pilot aims to grow youth-apprenticeship capacity locally and to create a pathway to in‑district hiring or postsecondary training.

Program structure and support: Program leaders described an 18-week schedule in which students rotate among six employers in roughly two-week blocks; employers will mentor students on the shop floor for a set number of hours each week, and students will meet Friday with district staff and Craftsman Character instructors for curriculum modules, journaling and reflection. Organizers said mentor training and facilitator support are provided by the Craftsman Character organization and that local partners (including Gateway Technical College) will provide follow-up opportunities.

Funding and commitments: Presenters said the curriculum and trainer support are being scaled through a national funder (identified during the meeting as support tied to the U.S. Navy submarine program). Employers commit time to mentor students; the district does not charge students for participation. Organizers said Craftsmans Character and partner organizations provide on‑going technical and online support, mentor training, and curriculum materials.

Next steps: The pilot’s signing day was set for Jan. 21 at the Matheson Library; Friday classroom sessions will begin in late January. Organizers said they plan to evaluate the pilot, expand the employer pool and consider credential pathways with Gateway Technical College if the model shows promising retention and placement outcomes.

Ending: County and district leaders asked the board to help publicize the program to families and local employers; district staff said board members will be invited to the signing day and to employer visits during the first rotation.