Now enrolling the 2026 cohort

Build Your Future Workforce One Apprentice at a Time

Astute Talent Pathways connects North Carolina employers with motivated high school students through registered youth apprenticeships — combining paid, hands-on work experience with classroom instruction and college credit.

I'm an Employer I'm a Student
90%
Employment retention for apprentices
86%
Of employers recommend apprenticeship
$1.44
Return for every dollar invested
60+ yrs
Combined industry experience on our team
Why Apprenticeships

A Proven Solution for Building Talent

Registered apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, giving employers a pipeline of skilled, loyal workers and giving students a debt-free path into a career.

1

Grow Talent From Within

Develop workers trained to your exact standards, reducing recruitment costs and increasing retention through direct investment in your team.

2

Earn While You Learn

Students gain real-world experience, an hourly wage, industry certification, and college credit — all while still in high school.

3

End-to-End Support

Astute handles needs assessment, program design, candidate sourcing, training, mentorship, and ongoing compliance support.

How It Works

A Three-Year Pathway to Career Readiness

Every apprentice's schedule is unique, but a typical pathway looks like this for a student starting as a junior.

Y1

Year 1

High school academic classes 3 days/week, paired with 12–16 hours per week of on-the-job training.

Y2

Year 2

School 2–3 days/week with 20–24 hours per week on the job, plus college coursework aligned to the apprentice's pathway.

Y3

Year 3

32+ hours per week on the job as the apprentice completes college-level coursework toward an industry-recognized credential.

Career Pathways

Occupations We Support

From healthcare to technology to business operations, Astute builds registered apprenticeship programs across high-growth occupations.

Application Software Developer

Technology

Data Analyst

Technology

Cybersecurity Analyst

Technology

Medical Assistant

Healthcare

Medical & Clinical Lab Technician

Healthcare

Accounting Technician

Business & Finance

Paraeducator

Education

And more pathways

Business Ops, Real Estate, Hospitality

View All Programs
Trusted Partners

Working Alongside NC's Workforce Leaders

We partner with community colleges, school districts, and the state apprenticeship agency to make registered apprenticeship simple for employers.

Wake Tech

WCPSS

ApprenticeshipNC

NC Community Colleges

Ready to Build Your Talent Pipeline?

Schedule a consultation and learn how Astute Talent Pathways can help you launch a registered apprenticeship program.

Get in Touch