For Schools & Districts
Partner with the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway to give students a new way to prepare for in-demand careers through classroom learning and paid on-the-job education and training.
Give Students a New Path After High School
Bring Workplace-Connected Learning to Your Students
The Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP) gives Indiana high schools a turnkey way to offer students an additional path to prepare for life after high school — one that combines classroom learning with paid on-the-job education and training.
Students begin multi-year INCAP apprenticeships in high school, spending multiple full days each week learning with an employer, with the remainder of their time spent at school completing the courses they need to graduate. They build skills and experience, and they earn credentials that prepare them to enter a career or continue their education and training.
INCAP makes it possible for schools to offer these opportunities without having to build work-based learning programs from scratch. Organizations called Industry Talent Associations work with employers to develop occupations, competencies, training plans, and apprenticeship-specific curriculum, while regional INCAP Connectors help schools bring opportunities to their students and support ongoing implementation.
There is no fee for schools to participate in INCAP.
Why Participate in INCAP
The Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway gives schools another way to prepare students for what comes after high school while supporting graduation goals and connecting learning with real workforce opportunities.
Expand Students’ Options
Give students another pathway to in-demand careers through education and paid work experience
Support Diploma Requirements
Help students meet the work-based learning and credential requirements of the Employment Honors Plus diploma seal
Connect Education to Indiana Careers
Connect students with in-demand careers while they build skills and experience
Support District Goals
Help students earn an Honors Plus diploma seal while supporting district goals for graduation, postsecondary readiness, and career preparation
Access a Turnkey Model
Tap into a statewide model with employer-developed occupations, competencies, training plans, and curriculum
Designed to Work Within the High School Experience
How INCAP Fits Into Your School
- Academic Alignment: Students continue working toward their Indiana high school diploma while participating in their Apprenticeship Program. INCAP apprenticeships are designed to meet the key requirements of the Employment Honors Plus diploma seal by requiring at least 650 hours of work-based learning and culminating in an INCAP credential or degree. Depending on the occupation, students may also be able to pursue AP, dual credit, or elective courses.
- Scheduling: Students spend multiple full days each week with their employer or at an off-site training center, with the remaining days spent at school. Schedules vary by occupation and grade level, and each Apprenticeship Program occupation has a standardized schedule showing when students are in the classroom and when they are learning with an employer or at a training center. With thoughtful planning, students may also be able to participate in sports, clubs, choir, and other extracurricular activities. Explore student journey and scheduling examples on the INCAP School Toolkit website.
- Transportation: Multiple full days at the workplace make transportation planning easier for schools, families, and employers. Regional INCAP Connectors can help schools think through transportation options.
- Funding: Indiana public schools may receive funding when participating students earn an Honors Plus diploma seal. Current projections provide $2,495 per student earning an Enrollment or Employment Honors Plus diploma seal. Read more about funding incentives in these legislative updates from the Indiana Department of Education (PDF, see page 7).
Visit the Toolkit for Schools microsite for practical guidance and resources to help your school successfully implement INCAP.
Schools Have a Partner in INCAP
Schools don’t navigate INCAP participation alone. Your regional INCAP Connector works alongside your school to help bring apprenticeship opportunities to students and support successful implementation. Your regional INCAP Connector is your school’s first point of contact for participating in INCAP.
School Responsibilities
Help Students Explore and Participate
Schools play an important role in connecting students with INCAP opportunities and integrating apprenticeships into their high school experience. Your school:
- Helps students explore career paths and identify opportunities aligned with their interests and goals
- Raises awareness of INCAP among students and families
- Delivers required school-based courses, which vary by occupation
- Helps integrate apprenticeships into students’ schedules and graduation plans
- Works with your regional INCAP Connector to support students throughout the process
INCAP Connector Responsibilities
Guide Schools Through Participation
Your Connector helps your school understand local opportunities and navigate INCAP participation. Your Connector:
- Brings local apprenticeship opportunities to your school
- Helps staff understand occupations, eligibility, schedules, and requirements
- Helps coordinate recruitment and implementation
- Provides ongoing support to schools, students, and families
Available opportunities vary by region based on participating employers and occupations. Your Connector can help you understand what’s available or coming soon to your area.
Getting Started with INCAP
How School Participation Gets Underway
Your regional INCAP Connector will guide your school through the process of bringing INCAP opportunities to students. While the details vary based on the occupations and opportunities available in your region, schools can generally expect to:
- Connect with Your Regional INCAP Connector: Learn about available and upcoming occupations and apprenticeship opportunities in your area.
- Explore Opportunities for Your Students: Review available occupations, student journeys, example schedules, and other information provided by your Connector.
- Identify and Inform Students: Introduce relevant opportunities to students and families and identify students whose interests, abilities, and career goals may make them a good fit.
- Support Student Applications: Interested students apply to specific apprenticeship opportunities, and employers interview and select the students they will hire.
- Prepare for the Apprenticeship: Schools, Connectors, employers, students, and families coordinate schedules, onboarding, transportation, and other logistics before students begin.
"INCAP has been phenomenal so far. These businesses are willing to take a chance on our students, and that means so much. Our kids have a great work ethic and are ready to figure out their futures. INCAP gives them the opportunity to do just that."
- Ashli Faulkner, School Counselor, Triton Jr./Sr. high School
Resources for Your School
Get the Details in the INCAP School Toolkit
Once a school is ready to explore INCAP in more depth, the School Toolkit provides practical information and resources for counselors, work-based learning coordinators, administrators, and other school staff.
- Understand INCAP: Learn how the pathway works, what makes it different, and how to determine if an apprenticeship is the right fit for a student.
- Plan for Implementation: Find detailed guidance on academic alignment, scheduling, recruitment, student selection, transportation, and more.
- Explore Apprenticeship Occupations: Explore current and upcoming occupations and access profiles, student journeys, and scheduling examples.
- Download Resources: Access program information, planning and scheduling tools, occupation-specific materials, and other resources for your school.
Common Questions
Ready to Get Started?
Your regional INCAP Connector is your first step toward bringing the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway to students. Connect today to learn about opportunities in your region and how INCAP can work at your school.