Youth Apprenticeship Milestone: Career WayZ Leads St. Charles Forward

June 12, 2025

Career WayZ St. Charles County Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator Celebrates Twenty-Five Manufacturing In-High School Youth Apprentices and Visionary Education and Industry Leadership

The St. Charles County Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator celebrated the registration of 25 youth apprentices into the U.S. Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship system—representing a groundbreaking collaboration between public school districts, manufacturing employers, and visionary Apprenticeship Coordinators trained by Career WayZ. A staggering 44 manufacturing youth apprentices have been registered and employed since January 2025 with this countywide initiative.

This second county-wide cohort of Apprenticeship Coordinators—spanning every public school district in St. Charles County—has made history by placing students directly into high-skill, high-demand manufacturing roles while still in high school. Their success is built on strong partnerships with school boards, CTE leaders, and a broad network of employers committed to building a skilled workforce.

More Than a Job – A Full Workforce Launch Experience

Each apprentice’s journey began with exclusive employer-inspired Apprenticeship Foundations Workshops, giving selected students an inside look at expectations, workplace culture, and career paths in advanced manufacturing. These workshops were tailored by local employers and led by Career WayZ, creating a strong sense of alignment between the classroom and the shop floor.

In addition, participating employers are providing their apprentices the Strong Start Mentoring Workshop, a signature Career WayZ experience designed to prepare teens for the transition to adulthood in the workplace. This session equips students with the soft skills and emotional intelligence needed to build healthy working relationships with mentors, supervisors, and peers in a professional setting.

⚠️ Manufacturing-Specific Safety Training ensured students entered the field with critical awareness of occupational hazards and protocols. This training emphasized both regulatory compliance and the shared responsibility of keeping workplaces safe. Thank you to Dan Fitter of Quest Specialty Products for leading this portion of the workshop.

🛠️ Expert Onboarding & Leadership Development was provided by Shows Coaching, a Career WayZ contractor team led by Dan and Lori Shows. Their coaching combines leadership mindset, communication, and confidence-building to help young apprentices thrive not only as employees but as emerging leaders in their respective companies.

🏭 Youth Apprentices Represent Leading Manufacturing Employers, Including:

• Component Bar Products

• True Manufacturing

• National Cart Company

• Craftsmen Industries

• Trinity Products

• Quest Specialty Products

• Seyer Industries

• Patriot Machine

🎓 Why It Matters:

This celebration is more than a milestone—it’s a testament to what can happen when education and industry unite around a shared vision for youth. The St. Charles County Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator has rapidly become a state and national model, thanks to the strategic vision of school districts, the commitment of local employers, and the leadership of Career WayZ Apprenticeship Coordinators.

By embedding apprenticeship into high school pathways, this initiative is changing lives, growing local talent, and proving that students can graduate with both a diploma and a DOL Registered Apprenticeship Certificate—and a head start in a career.

🇺🇸 Rebuilding our Manufacturing Trades – One Youth at a Time - A Message of Inspiration to the New Generation of the US Manufacturing Youth Apprentices- From Career WayZ Founder, Cynthia Walker.

“To each of our youth apprentices: You are stepping into a legacy of American innovation, strength, and work ethic. You are not just earning a paycheck—you are forging the future of U.S. manufacturing with your own two hands. The courage you’ve shown to take this step, the pride your families feel tonight, and the belief your employers and educators have in you—this is what rebuilding a nation looks like. We believe in you. You matter. You belong here. You are the future.”

👨🏭 Ft. Zumwalt School District Youth Apprentices:

Caden Campbell - Craftsmen Industries

Dalton Childress - Seyer Industries

Donavan Young - National Cart Company

Braden Copenhaver - True Manufacturing

Michael Gettemeier - True Manufacturing

Oliver Chadd - Trinity Products

Devyn Seavert - National Cart Company

Timothy Carsten - Craftsmen Industries

Zachary Gallagher - Trinity Products

Chris Hastings - True Manufacturing

Blaize Evans - Craftsmen Industries

Ryan West - Quest Specialty Products

👨🏭 Francis Howell School District Youth Apprentices:

Jacob Clubb - True Manufacturing

Caleb Grashoff - Trinity Products

Logan Grashoff - Trinity Products

👨🏭 Orchard Farm School District Youth Apprentices:

Gavin Williams - Craftsmen Industries

Evan Beckmann - Patriot Machine

Calvin Wallen - Quest Specialty Products

👨🏭 Wentzville School District Youth Apprentices:

Aaron Randell - Seyer Industries

Thomas Rekart - Trinity Products

👨🏭 City of St. Charles School District Youth Apprentices:

Alexander Emerson - Quest Specialty Products

Royce Jemerson - Patriot Machine

Emerson Luetkenhaus - Trinity Products

Brady Myers - Quest Specialty Products

Eric Williams - Quest Specialty Products

🎉 Congratulations to the apprentices, their families, employers, and the outstanding coordinators driving this movement forward!

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/