Merrill High School Youth Apprenticeship Program

On May 7, 2025, the Merrill High School Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Program honored its Student Stars at a celebratory banquet held at the Eagle’s Club. Surrounded by friends, family, mentors, and employers, students were recognized for outstanding achievement in developing career readiness skills at their work sites.
“These students have gone above and beyond in their commitment to learning and growth,” said YA Coordinator Linda Murray. “They’re not just building skills—they’re building their futures.”
Out of the 93 students participating in the program this school year, 12 were selected to receive this honor. “It’s inspiring to see how far these students have come in such a short time. Their drive and professionalism are beyond their years,” one mentor said.
This year, a new honor was introduced: Mentor of the Year. Greg Gressens, a mentor for YA students at Brickner’s Park City, was given the award. Greg has served as a dedicated mentor for YA students at Brickner’s since the program’s inception.
“Greg’s impact goes far beyond the workplace,” said YA Coordinator Steve Hintze. “He leads by example, inspires confidence, and truly invests in the success of every student he mentors.”

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch these students grow,” Gressens said, “not just in their skills, but in their confidence. I’m honored to play a small part in their journey.”
The YA Program is a rigorous one- or two-year elective, statewide program for high school Juniors and Seniors that combines academic and technical instruction with mentored, paid, on-the-job learning that makes a real world connection for students. Youth Apprentices work a minimum of 450 hours at their YA worksite each year of their program and take related high school or college classes to enhance their worksite experiences. They earn one credit for each semester they successfully participate in YA, and at the completion of their apprenticeship, they receive a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the State of Wisconsin, an accomplishment that is recognized by both employers and colleges alike.
The 16 program areas available through Wisconsin’s YA Program are: agriculture, food, and natural resources; architecture and construction; art, a/v technology, and communications; business; education; finance; government and public administration, health science; hospitality, lodging, and tourism; human services; information technology; law, public safety, corrections, and security; manufacturing; marketing; science, technology, engineering, and math; and transportation, distribution, and logistics.
Employers hire apprentices for a variety of reasons including being able to recruit potential employees and shape the quality of their workforce, developing partnerships with Merrill High School, building great employee loyalty, and creating positive PR by helping youth with employment and education.
Students become apprentices because they earn a paycheck while learning from skilled professionals. Also they become more organized and efficient with their time, increase career awareness and improve future employability, and develop the necessary skills needed for entry-level employment. In some program areas, they begin working towards a Registered Apprenticeship.
Businesses and/or students interested in more information about participating in the YA Program in the 2025-26 school year can contact YA Coordinators Linda Murray or Steve Hintze at 715.536.4594.