About this episode

Dr. Heather Handler discusses the benefits of youth apprenticeships for students exploring career options.

Our guest for this episode of College & Career Readiness Radio is Dr. Heather Handler, author of The Educator’s Guide to Youth Apprenticeships . Heather says youth apprenticeships allow students to “test the waters” of a career while getting paid, developing skills, and avoiding the financial risk of pursuing a pathway they may not ultimately enjoy. She explains that youth apprenticeships should not be positioned as an alternative to college. They can help students determine whether a career or college major is actually right for them. Heather says schools interested in apprenticeships should start by examining their own systems because K–12 structures can often be the least flexible part of the partnership between schools, industry, and higher education. She recommends connecting with chambers of commerce, workforce networks, economic development organizations, higher education, and other groups that already have relationships with employers. Heather says midsize businesses can be ideal first partners because they are large enough to provide mentors but often flexible enough to avoid the bureaucracy found in larger corporations. She stresses the importance of identifying…

People in this episode

Host: T.J. Vari

Guest: Dr. Heather Handler

Topics covered

• youth apprenticeships
• career exploration
• education partnerships
• K-12 education
• workplace experience

Keywords

• youth apprenticeships
• career testing
• K-12 education
• mentorship
• workplace experience

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: chambers of commerce, workforce networks, economic development organizations, higher education

Books & works: The Educator’s Guide to Youth Apprenticeships

More episodes of College & Career Readiness Radio

• Developing a Vision for Postsecondary Success with Tony Dina · September 1, 2026 · 30 min
• Empowering All Leaders to Be Math Leaders with Thomas O'Brien · August 4, 2026 · 27 min
• Career Readiness and Workforce Development in Higher Education with Dr. Cynthia Thomas · July 21, 2026 · 31 min
• The Education Supply Chain Problem with Jeremy Smith · July 7, 2026 · 47 min
• Possibility Thinking and Industry-Based Literacy with Dr. Sandra Adams · June 23, 2026 · 32 min
• Supporting Student Mental Health and Wellbeing with Joshua Stamper · June 9, 2026 · 28 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the College & Career Readiness Radio podcast page.