Duchesne High School Launches Career WayZ Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator Program to Fast-Track Student Careers in Manufacturing Trades

Duchesne High School administrators recently met with Career WayZ to finalize the school's new Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator Program. From left: DHS President Paul Boschert '77, DHS Director of Advancement Becky Williamson, Career WayZ Founder Cynthia Walkeer, DHS Principal Kurt Schneider '93, DHS Assistant Principal of Student Life Debi Turner '96, Quest Specialty Products CEO Craig Moore, Magne Corporation President Blake Caimi ’10, Component Bar HR Manager Sam Meyer ’08, and Dan Fitter, past president of Quest Specialty Products.

 

Duchesne High School is proud to announce the launch of a new after-school trade initiative: the Career WayZ Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator (YAA) Program. This program offers students an opportunity to learn about local manufacturing companies, interview for paid apprenticeships, and receive specialized training toward a future career path. To begin this journey, three Duchesne High School staff members have registered with the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship sponsor Career WayZ.  Duchesne’s specialists began their apprenticeship training in December. Congratulations to Principal Kurt Schneider ’93, Assistant Principal of Student Life Debi Turner ’96, and Advancement Director Becky Williamson for becoming U.S. DOL Registered Apprenticeship Training and Development Specialists. 

The Duchesne Apprenticeship specialists will undergo a full year of coaching and curriculum during a 2,000-hour apprenticeship, earning a nationally-recognized credential. They will join Career WayZ YAA alongside public schools in both St. Charles and St. Louis Counties. Through their training, they will develop a program to build manufacturing workforce pipelines, with the potential to expand into numerous occupational offerings and career pathways. In the spring, apprentices will be recommended by staff and apply to attend the Game Day Prep days, which will prepare them for Selection Day, where they will interview and compete for an official career offer. Once Duchesne registers their first student as an apprentice, the program will officially be a U.S. DOL Registered Sponsor Program. 

"While Duchesne High School continues to be a college preparatory school, we are well aware that some high school graduates do not pursue post-secondary education at 2- or 4-year colleges or universities. Some forego that path to pursue a career working in the trades industry,” DHS President Paul Boschert ’77 stated. “Our administrative team has identified current Duchesne students who would benefit greatly from exposure to the trades in the YAA Program while also fulfilling a normal high school experience. We are excited about this partnership that will provide substantial benefits for our kids."

The Career WayZ team was selected by partnering manufacturing companies for its proven success in rapidly developing apprenticeship coordinators, equipping high school students with critical employability skills, and strategically engaging advanced manufacturing employers committed to providing meaningful, long-term career opportunities. This follows the success of the St. Charles County Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator, where 71manufacturing apprentices were hired and registered with local employer partners in 2025.

The Career WayZ Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator is led by Cynthia Walker, Founder and CEO of Career WayZ and U.S. DOL National Apprenticeship Ambassador SME. Walker and her team specialize in bridging education and industry through an employer-driven training model designed to accelerate workforce readiness and establish youth apprenticeships. The YAA in St. Charles County launched in 2025, partnering with the Fort Zumwalt School District and a cohort of four high schools in the county. Career WayZ YAA continues to partner with area advanced manufacturing companies to raise the funds necessary for this initiative. Duchesne alumni manufacturing CEOs donated to help cover the costs of our specialists’ apprenticeships, preparing our students for participation in the program. 

The manufacturing occupations offer students $16-20 per hour as they experience the culture, expectations, and diverse career paths within the precision manufacturing and fabrication sector. Additionally, apprentices develop a portfolio that demonstrates their expertise and competency over a 2,000-hour apprenticeship. The U.S. DOL reports a 90% retention rate for apprentices who complete an apprenticeship program. Completing apprentices will earn a nationally-recognized U.S. DOL credential.

"Duchesne High School is excited to be the first private school to participate in the Career WayZ YAA,” Schneider said. “The chance for our students to learn skills that will prepare them for a fantastic career while getting paid was an opportunity we could not pass up."

"As I learned more about this program, I immediately thought of current Duchesne students who would be perfect fits,” said Turner. “Hearing the student success stories, along with the CEOs speaking so passionately about the program's impact, was my favorite part. Their excitement made it clear that this is not only preparing students for meaningful careers but helping them discover their God-given gifts—truly a win-win for our students and our community." 

“What I like most about this collaboration is that students maintain the full Duchesne Pioneer classroom experience while simultaneously launching a career in the trades,” said Williamson. “They earn a great income—at no tuition cost to them—all outside of normal school hours. We want to give our students every opportunity to succeed, and this is a powerful way for them to plan for their future.”

Cynthia Walker, founder of Career WayZ, said, “Our team is honored to work alongside the Duchesne’s outstanding staff, parents, and students. An employer-driven apprenticeship model is a solution for our Gen Z workforce to build confidence, earn while they learn, and make a lasting impact on their community and their future. Welcome, Duchesne!”

The program features an impressive roster of advanced manufacturing partners, including:

Component Bar Products

Craftsmen Industries

Hydromat

Jost Chemical

Magna Power Corporation

National Cart Co.

Natoli Engineering

Quest Specialty Products

Seyer Industries

Trinity Products

WB Industries

(and many more local leaders)

Selection Day for interested students is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026, with apprenticeships officially beginning in June. Duchesne students interested in participating should contact Mr. Schneider or Mrs. Turner for more detailed information.