Finding a job after graduating from college can feel like an uphill battle, especially when employers often ask for at least two years of experience. So how can students be work-ready on day one when it’s only their first day?
That’s where OC Pathways steps in — an OCDE-led initiative dedicated to expanding career pathway opportunities for students in Orange County. One way it delivers on that mission is through its Youth Registered Apprenticeship Program, which provides students with paid, real-world experience while still in school. The program targets career fields such as education, business and others that wouldn’t typically offer apprenticeship or internship opportunities.
Just two years ago, the program was only an idea. But OC Pathways set to work building relationships with local businesses and community partners to bring it to life — producing fliers, sharing them with school districts and community colleges, and connecting with employers willing to invest in students.
Since then, the program has assisted 47 students ages 16 to 24 complete their apprenticeships, with another 61 currently active across 19 different employers, as of August 2025. Students can also now refer to a portal to see which apprenticeships are currently being offered.
“What’s really great about the apprenticeship program is that it’s giving students those experiences that are really going to help them be career-ready,” said Yusra Yousef, a project manager with OC Pathways at OCDE. “Students are able to gain those skills in a very short period of time through our apprenticeship program, and that allows them to be ready for employment in that respective area.”
Making an impact
Lesly Rivera, now a freshman at Cypress College, was among the first students to take advantage of the program over a year ago. She heard about the opportunity when a friend shared one of the OC Pathways fliers distributed to local high schools. With prior experience working with children, she decided to apply for an early education apprenticeship — one of multiple positions created through OCDE’s partnership with the Savanna School District in Anaheim.
After being hired at Twila Reid Elementary, Lesly received monthly check-ins from OC Pathways staff to ensure she was meeting requirements and gaining the skills she needed to succeed. This continued support, Lesly said, helped create a structured environment that made juggling school and work more manageable.
Lesly enjoyed her experience so much that after completing her first apprenticeship, she applied and was hired for a second one as a group leader at the same school. And who would go on to fill her prior position? Her younger sister, who applied after Lesly told her about how much she enjoyed the experience and how valuable it was. Today, the sisters work side by side.
“This program doesn’t just transform the lives of students — it also impacts families and creates opportunities that can have a generational impact,” Yousef said.
The program’s success has also opened doors to new opportunities. A recent partnership with UC Irvine will soon create nine apprenticeships, with the university providing mentors and learning materials while OC Pathways will assist with onboarding and continued support.
“We’re really excited to have UCI on board as one of our business partners … and we’re just so excited for what’s to come,” Yousef said.