Apprentice Learning

Apprentice Learning is a Boston nonprofit that gives middle school students real-world work experience. Working directly with schools and employers, it uses career exploration to teach skills, ignite a sense of purpose and nurture young people’s dreams. Its programs are designed for middle-grade youth, with follow-on opportunities for alumni once they reach ninth grade, so students can keep building on what they learned.

The program runs at several levels. One-day engagements let students meet local professionals, practice skills and learn on the job. Hands-on classes combine with real work experiences alongside an adult mentor, helping youth identify interests and strengths. For alumni, there is a virtual paid internship for ninth graders that also helps with digital summer job applications, and a five-week paid internship for rising ninth-grade girls exploring STEAM and other fields where women are underrepresented.

What to Know

• Its tagline is “Experience Ignites Purpose.”
• Alumni include students from Boston schools such as Mission Hill School.
• Supporters can fund apprenticeships through donations.