Ft. Zumwalt School District Hosting the Career WayZ St. Charles County Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator Signing and Completion Day
January 9, 2026
O’Fallon, MO
The Ft. Zumwalt School District will host the Career WayZ St. Charles County Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator Signing and Completion Day at the Ft. Zumwalt Professional Development Center. The event will bring together local manufacturing employers, school districts, and community leaders to celebrate student apprentices and program partners.
The event will recognize 27 newly signed youth apprentices entering manufacturing careers. It will also celebrate 3 completing their programs, along with 4 Career WayZ Apprenticeship Training and Development Specialists.
The Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator was built by local manufacturing partners in partnership with school districts and Career WayZ. The model focuses on early talent development, strong employer engagement, and clear pathways from high school to skilled careers. Founder Cynthia Walker and Business Ambassador Dan Fitter helped establish the Accelerator, with CEOs across the county investing time and leadership to strengthen the regional workforce.
“Together with visionary school district administrators and expertly trained Career WayZ Specialists, the collaborative spirit is the secret sauce,” said Walker. “This is what happens when education and industry lock arms with purpose.”
Andy McHaffie, Career WayZ Apprenticeship Specialist Journeyman, has played a central role in training and supporting the St. Charles County Accelerator cohort, all five public school districts in the county. The School’s Specialists recruit, prepare, and support students and employers while maintaining program quality and compliance. Since registering as a U.S. Department of Labor sponsor in March 2024, Career WayZ has completed 10 Apprenticeship Specialists and currently supports 18 Specialists in training across Missouri and Illinois. Based on 2025 U.S. Department of Labor data, Career WayZ Specialists now represent more than 60 percent of Missouri’s registered youth apprenticeships.
Since January 2025, Career WayZ has completed three Accelerator cohorts, resulting in 71 manufacturing apprentices in St. Charles County filled by students ages 16 to 18. These outcomes highlight the readiness and capability of high school students to succeed in skilled roles.
Companies partnering with the Accelerator include: Trinity Products, Quest Specialty Products, National Cart, Seyer Industries, Natoli, Beckwood Press, Component Bar, Magne Power, Hydromat, Jost Chemical, and WB Industries.
Career WayZ would like to thank community partners, including the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce and the St. Charles Economic Development Council, for supporting employer engagement and regional talent development. The Accelerator is already expanding into St. Louis County and continues growth across St. Charles County, including the addition of Duchesne High School and other promising high schools in 2026.
Schedule a consultation here: https://careerwayz.org/contact
Follow Career WayZ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-wayz-missouri/
Follow Cynthia Walker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-walker-46b8087a/
