College in High School Apprenticeships
Get Paid to Learn & Earn Free College Credit
Be 16+ years of age to begin the program
Train to be a Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, or Behavioral Health Technician
Considering a future in healthcare? Our apprenticeships for high school students are the ultimate jump start. Swap part of your school day for specialized coursework and a job where you learn alongside healthcare professionals.
Our programs give you:
- College credit
- Opportunities for paid on-the-job training
- Industry and state-recognized credentials
- Support services to help you succeed
All completely free. All while earning your high school diploma.
What do you want to do?
- See how it works
- Find out what is required to participate
- Explore Our Pathways
- Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Interested in learning more? Connect with us at members@healthcaretrainingfund.org or (425) 255-0315
How It Works:
College in High School Apprenticeships
Learn in different environments. Get real-life career experience now.
You will take your core classes at your high school while trading standard electives for apprenticeship-focused instruction at your regional skills center. You will get hands-on training in professional settings like clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies.
Expand your options. Get ahead in college and your career.
You can use your training to start a career right after graduation or put your earned credits toward an advanced degree in college.
Go where the jobs are. You are needed in healthcare.
Washington state is facing a shortage of healthcare workers. In an apprenticeship you gain the skills that are in demand. Make a difference and find immediate job openings.
Build your resume. Keep your social life.
Our apprenticeship schedule leaves room for the fun parts of high school that matter to you.
Start here. Build your path forward.
Gain foundational skills and real-world experience that prepare you for entry-level roles and continued education in healthcare.
Why an Apprenticeship?
| Traditional High School | High School Apprenticeship | |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Classroom only | Classroom + on-the-job learning |
| Cost | Free but no income | Get paid to learn + free college credit and books |
| Resume | High school diploma | Diploma + 1–2 years job experience + national professional certification |
| Teachers | High school only | High school + industry professionals |
| Next Step | Start college or pay to train | Start college with credits or start your career |
Can I Join?
Apprenticeship Program Participation Requirements
Find out if your school offers our apprenticeship programs:
Participating Schools in Washington State
Arlington
Darrington
East Valley
Edmonds
Ellensburg
Everett
Federal Way
Goldendale
Grandview
Granger
Granite Falls
Highland
Highline
Kettle Falls
Kittitas
Lake Stevens
Lakewood
Mabton
Marysville
Monroe
Mount Adams
Mukilteo
Naches Valley
Omak
Quillayute Valley
Selah
Skykomish
Snohomish
South Whidbey
Stanwood
Sultan
Sunnyside
Tahoma
Toppenish
Tukwila
Wapato
West Valley
Yakima Zillah
If your school is not on the list, please reach out. We may still be able to work with yours. We are growing our program and looking for new schools to partner with. Connect with us at members@healthcaretrainingfund.org or (425) 255-0315.
Choose Our Pathways
Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship
College in High School (2 years to complete)
What is a pharmacy technician?
A pharmacy technician helps ensure patients are safe by getting the right medicines to patients every time. They work under a pharmacist’s supervision to fill prescriptions, handle insurance claims, track inventory, and manage paperwork.
This is an entry-level pathway to becoming a licensed pharmacy technician. Instruction is provided in collaboration with Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center (Snohomish County), and apprentices earn college credit through our partnership with North Seattle College’s pharmacy technician program.
Review the curriculum and schedule here.
Certification requirements include:
- 378 hours classroom instruction
- 2,000 hours of work experience
- Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam and apply for a state license
Credits Upon Completion:
24 elective college credits awarded by North Seattle College
Medical Assistant Apprenticeship
College in High School (2 years to complete)
What is a medical assistant?
Medical assistants are usually the first people you meet before your doctor’s exam. They gather vitals, assist doctors during procedures, do lab tests, administer medications, and provide patient education. They also manage medical records, schedule appointments, and handle insurance claims.
This is an entry-level pathway to becoming a licensed medical assistant. Instruction is provided in collaboration with Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center, and apprentices earn college credit through our partnership with Bates Technical College.
Review the curriculum and schedule here.
Certification requirements include:
- 288 hours of medical assistant curriculum in classroom
- 2,000 hours of work experience
- Pass the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exam and apply for national and state certification
Credits Upon Completion:
21 college credits awarded by Bates Technical College
Behavioral Health Technician Apprenticeship
College in High School (1 to 2 years to complete)
What is a behavioral health technician?
Behavioral health technicians provide daily support and safety for patients with mental health and substance use challenges. You will lead therapeutic activities and monitor patient progress, all while being a consistent, caring presence that helps people stay on track toward recovery.
This is an entry-level pathway to becoming a licensed medical assistant. Instruction is provided in collaboration with Puget Sound Skills Center, and apprentices earn college credit through our partnership with Bates Technical College.
Review the curriculum and schedule here.
Certification requirements include:
- 378 hours of classroom and lab sessions
- 2,000 hours of work experience
- Pass the Certified Nursing Assistant (NA-C) exam and apply for the Washington Department of Health for certification. You must have a high school diploma to apply.
Credits Upon Completion
24 college credits awarded by Bates Technical College
Frequently Asked Questions:
"Is it really free?"
Absolutely free. We pay for your classes, your books, and even your scrubs. Plus you get opportunities for pay while you’re training on the job with your employer.
“What will my schedule look like?”
You’ll spend part of your days completing your core graduation requirements at your high school. Apprenticeship classroom instruction happens at your regional skills center. Most of your apprenticeship hours will be spent training on-site in a job.
"Will I still have time for sports or hanging out with friends?"
Yes! We work with your school to build a schedule that balances your apprenticeship hours with your “must-have” high school experiences. You are not quitting high school – you are just upgrading your electives.
"Can I still take high school college preparation and advanced placement courses while doing an apprenticeship?"
Yes. Our apprenticeship schedules are built to leave room for the other classes that matter to you, including advanced placement courses and college prep. We will help you coordinate with your counselor to ensure your graduation requirements and training hours fit together seamlessly.
"What happens after I graduate?"
You have options. Once you have your certification credential, you are eligible to start right into a full-time profession, or you can use your earned college credits and experience to jump-start your educational path to an advanced degree. Some students go to college and work part-time in their certified profession.
"Do I need to be a straight-A student to apply?"
Nope. We care more about your reliability, your empathy, and your desire to help people. If you are responsible and ready to learn, we want you here.
“This apprenticeship program has impacted my life by creating the opportunity for me to apply my love for healthcare and helping others into the real world.”
Arizona is the first CiHS Pharm Tech apprentice licensed in Washington state! She remains working part-time as she is attending college locally.
Partner with Us
These first-of-their-kind apprenticeship programs are a partnership with Skills Centers, Colleges, Employers, and the Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium. Join us!
Reach out to James Ramirez, Youth Outreach and Recruitment Professional, at jramirez@healthcaretrainingfund.org to learn more about partnering with us in this work!
