GOSHEN, Ind. (June 26, 2025) – As the momentum behind youth apprenticeship grows across the state of Indiana and across the nation, CareerWise Elkhart County celebrated its largest cohort of graduating apprentices yet at the fourth-annual Apprenticeship Rising event.

Dozens of the 80 active modern youth apprentices across Elkhart County gathered June 26 at Bread & Chocolate at The Bag Factory in Goshen for an open house on youth apprenticeship, inviting people in the community to come and hear firsthand about these students’ experiences learning and growing their skills in the classroom and the workplace.

Understanding Modern Youth Apprenticeship in Elkhart County

Originating from the Swiss system — a model that boasts almost 70% student participation — modern youth apprenticeship offers a unique blend of education and real-world experience. Through CareerWise Elkhart County, powered by HEA, local high school juniors and seniors immerse themselves in hands-on roles in their chosen fields. This experience counts not only towards their high school credits but also offers college credits, industry credentials, and even a paycheck.

Since CareerWise Elkhart County was established in 2019, 42 local employers across a variety of industry sectors have provided paid apprenticeship positions to nearly 200 local students, including a record 60 starting their apprenticeships in the 2025-26 school year.

Celebrating Success and Partnerships

As part of the Apprenticeship Rising event, CareerWise Elkhart County celebrated those apprentices who completed their three-year programs during the last year. This year’s cohort of graduating apprentices was the program’s largest yet: 21 students and recent high school graduates earned a transferable, industry-specific journeyman’s certificate from the Department of Labor by demonstrating mastery of every competency in their program. Congratulations to the following graduates!

• Ashton Blasko, Industrial Manufacturing Technician, Hoosier Crane, Elkhart
• Jayla Camacho, Future Educator, Goshen Community Schools, Goshen
• Logan Cook, IT Support Technician, Concord Community Schools, Elkhart
• Shawn Eash, Industrial Manufacturing Technician, Hoosier Crane, Elkhart
• Karla Eichorn, Industrial Manufacturing Technician, BD Custom Manufacturing, Bristol
• Kayliegh Flores, Culinary Assistant, Hotel Elkhart, Elkhart
• Season Geans, Events Operations Assistant, Surf Internet, Elkhart
• Griffin Mack, Industrial Manufacturing Technician, Hoosier Crane, Elkhart
• Marina Mahar, Paralegal, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Elkhart County, Elkhart
• Patrick McDowell, Automotive Service Technician, Concord Community Schools, Elkhart
• Miles McLaughlin, IT Support Technician, Goshen Health, Goshen
• Ian Newton, IT Support Technician, Baugo Community Schools, Elkhart
• Jayvion Peoples, Office Manager Administrative Services, Tolson Center, Elkhart
• Abigail Shultz, Nursing Assistant, Goshen Health, Goshen
• Brenna Slaight, Business Project Coordinator, Triple P/HEA, Goshen
• Angelique Vega-Nava, Office Manager Administrative Services, Tolson Center, Elkhart
• Presley Whitaker, Future Educator, Baugo Community Schools, Elkhart
• Tru Whitaker, Future Educator, Baugo Community Schools, Elkhart
• Kiley Wise, Digital Marketer, Surf Internet, Elkhart
• Madison Woolwine, Future Educator, Baugo Community Schools, Elkhart
• Ty Zartman, Industrial Manufacturing Technician, Hoosier Crane, Elkhart

A special thanks to Photography by Kelly and Justin who captured scenes from Apprenticeship Rising. View a selection of photos from the event below.