Apprenticeship Program for High Schoolers
Explore how the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway combines school, paid work, and career preparation.
Earn a Head Start on Your Career While You're Still in High School
School. Work. Future. Together.
The Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP) offers paid apprenticeships in a variety of high-demand industries, including healthcare, banking, advanced manufacturing, IT, construction, and more. You’ll build real-world skills while earning your high school diploma.
If you’re the type of person who likes learning through real-world, on-the-job experience, this could be the perfect way to launch a successful, rewarding career.
How the Apprenticeship Program Works for High Schoolers
Three simple steps explain the experience: learn in school and on the job, earn your high school diploma and INCAP credential or degree, and choose what comes after graduation.
Learn at School
Take high school classes that complement your INCAP apprenticeship
Work with an Employer
Earn while you learn through a paid apprenticeship at a local employer
Graduate with More
High school diploma
Employment Honors Plus diploma seal
INCAP credential or degree
Will be valued by employers and recognized by colleges
Start Your Career
Continue with your employer or begin your career elsewhere
5 Reasons to Consider an INCAP Apprenticeship
The Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway offers something new: the chance to graduate with real workplace experience, recognized credentials, and a clearer direction for the future — all while earning a high school diploma and a paycheck.
Earn a Paycheck
Earn money while you’re still in high school
Gain Real Experience
Build your resume by working alongside experienced professionals
Graduate with More
Earn your diploma plus valuable credentials that set you apart
Explore Career Options
Discover what a career is really like before making your next decision
Keep Your Options Open
Be prepared for employment, college, or continued career training
When Your Apprenticeship Begins
Plan ahead to make the most of your opportunities
An INCAP apprenticeship is a multi-year experience. Knowing when to start exploring careers, applying, and beginning your apprenticeship can help you prepare for success.
Your Apprenticeship Journey
Explore (7th–9th Grade)
- Explore industries and occupations that match your interests
- Talk with your family, school counselor, and regional INCAP Connector
- Begin thinking about the courses and experiences that support your goals
Apply (9th–10th Grade)
- Apply for INCAP apprenticeship opportunities
- Interview with participating employers
- Finalize your plans with your school counselor
Begin (10th–11th Grade)
- Start your INCAP apprenticeship while continuing high school
- Begin earning a paycheck and gaining work experience
- Spend multiple full days a week doing paid on-the-job training, with the remainder of time spent at school
- Continue building your technical and professional skills over the next two to four years
Complete (Varies by Occupation)
- Finish your INCAP apprenticeship based on your occupation’s timeline
- Some apprenticeships conclude before or shortly after high school graduation, while others continue through the summer or into the year(s) following graduation
- Transition into employment, college, or an INCAP Career Program
SAMPLE APPRENTICESHIP TIMELINES
How School and Work Fit Together
Made to fit your high school experience
The Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway is designed to fit into your high school experience — not replace it. Your high school, employer, regional INCAP Connector, and school counselor work together to coordinate your classes and paid workplace experience, helping you stay on track for graduation while preparing for a career.
They’ll help you navigate the practical details, too. From coordinating schedules and transportation to balancing extracurricular activities and other commitments, you’ll have a team working with you to make your INCAP apprenticeship a success.
A TYPICAL WEEK
Every INCAP apprenticeship is different, so your weekly schedule will vary depending on your chosen occupation, employer, and school. In general, you will likely:
- Attend high school classes to continue meeting graduation requirements
- Learn technical and career skills related to your chosen occupation
- Spend multiple full days each week at an employer site, gaining paid, hands-on experience alongside experienced professionals
- Apply what you learn in the classroom to real workplace situations
As your skills grow, the work you do and the responsibilities you take on will continue to grow as well.
What will your week look like?
Visit individual occupation pages to view program details, sample schedules, and what to expect throughout the apprenticeship.
Where Could an INCAP Apprenticeship Take You?
Explore in-demand industries and find an apprenticeship that fits your interests.
OFFERING 0 INCAP PROGRAM
CHECK BACK LATER
INCAP Programs Are Coming Soon
High School:
Adult:
Graduate With More Than a Diploma
The Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway helps you graduate with more than a diploma. Along the way, you’ll continue meeting Indiana graduation requirements while earning valuable credentials and workplace experience that set you apart.
You combine classroom learning with paid, on-the-job education and training, building toward:
- An Indiana high school diploma
- The Employment Honors Plus diploma seal
- An INCAP credential or degree, which will be recognized as an Indiana Credential of Value
- Depending on your apprenticeship schedule, you may complete your INCAP credential or degree after high school graduation
- Multiple years of paid, on-the-job experience in your chosen industry
More Choices After Graduation
Completing an INCAP apprenticeship doesn’t limit your future — it expands it. After high school, you’ll have valuable workplace experience, industry-recognized credentials, and multiple options for what comes next.
After completing your apprenticeship, you can:
- Continue working with your employer as a full-time employee, if a position is available
- Start your career with another employer using your experience and industry-recognized credentials
- Go to college and potentially finish a related degree faster because of the credit you may receive for your INCAP credential
- Continue with the INCAP Career Program to deepen your expertise and increase your earning potential
How to Apply
- Begin exploring careers during 7th, 8th, or 9th grade.
- Learn about the industries and occupations available through the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway.
- Think about the types of work and careers that interest you.
- Already in 11th or 12th grade? Most apprenticeships begin before senior year. If you're graduating soon, explore INCAP Career Programs designed for adults.
- During 9th or 10th grade, talk with your school counselor and regional INCAP Connector about the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway.
- Explore apprenticeship opportunities that match your interests and career goals.
- Review your graduation plan and discuss how an apprenticeship can fit into your high school schedule.
- Applications are typically available early in the spring semester.
- Apply for the apprenticeship opportunities that best match your interests.
- If selected, interview with one or more participating employers.
- Your regional INCAP Connector can help guide you through the application process.
What happens after you're accepted?
- You'll complete any employer onboarding, finalize your class schedule, and begin your INCAP apprenticeship at the start of the next school year.
- Begin exploring careers during 7th, 8th, or 9th grade.
- Learn about the industries and occupations available through the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway.
- Think about the types of work and careers that interest you.
- Already in 11th or 12th grade? Most apprenticeships begin before senior year. If you're graduating soon, explore INCAP Career Programs designed for adults.
- During 9th or 10th grade, talk with your school counselor and regional INCAP Connector about the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway.
- Explore apprenticeship opportunities that match your interests and career goals.
- Review your graduation plan and discuss how an apprenticeship can fit into your high school schedule.
- Applications are typically available early in the spring semester.
- Apply for the apprenticeship opportunities that best match your interests.
- If selected, interview with one or more participating employers.
- Your regional INCAP Connector can help guide you through the application process.
What happens after you're accepted?
- You'll complete any employer onboarding, finalize your class schedule, and begin your INCAP apprenticeship at the start of the next school year.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some of the questions students and parents or guardians ask most often. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, your local INCAP Connector or school counselor can help.