School-to-Registered Apprenticeship (STRA) programs are paid training programs. Students become an employee upon acceptance into the program.  The STRA student is paid with the beginning wage and progressive wage increases determined by the employer.

School-to-Registered Apprenticeship could prevent the need for overwhelming student loan debt.  For the STRA student, classroom instruction begins in high school and continues after high school graduation as a full-time business employee.  Expenses for the Related Technical Instruction are often paid for by the employer and delivered by community or technical colleges, on-line instruction, vendors and contractors or apprenticeship training centers.

School-to-Registered Apprenticeship permits under-18 year old participation.  Traditional Registered Apprenticeship programs require that applicants be a minimum of 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma.   The STRA program allows high school students who are at least 16 years of age to participate (with parental consent).

School-to-Registered Apprenticeship includes a nationally-recognized credential.  Students who successfully complete the program’s on-the-job training and Related Technical Instruction are awarded a certificate of completion from the Kansas Apprenticeship Council, in cooperation with the Office of Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of Labor.  This certificate is recognized in all 50 states and all U.S. territories.

School-to-Registered Apprenticeship programs are industry developed and delivered.  These programs cannot exist without the need, participation and support of business and industry.  Employers determine their program’s training length and its education and training activities.  Employer’s training plans, called “Occupational Standards,” include tasks students must learn to be skilled in the occupation, the time allotted to learn these tasks and the Related Technical Instruction the students must successfully complete. 

School-to-Registered Apprenticeship accelerates the attainment of necessary skills and training.  While in high school, STRA participants’ work hours and Related Technical Instruction classes apply toward program completion to further streamline the seamless transition between high school and the world of work.

School-to-Registered Apprenticeship links hands on experiences with classroom instruction.  Registered Apprenticeship programs are the only formal, nationally recognized technical education and training programs combining both classroom instruction and worksite training.  School-to-Registered Apprenticeship programs are formal Registered Apprenticeship programs allowing students to begin acquiring career and technical skills while still in high school.