Youth Apprenticeship Program Overview
M&T is proudly partnering with Say Yes Buffalo and CareerWise Greater Buffalo to launch a Youth Apprentice Program. This is a modern youth apprenticeship initiative that promotes career pathways for students and addresses the local demand for skilled talent to fill high-quality, in-demand occupations in the western New York (WNY) region.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) district leadership and six inaugural employer partners: Harmac Medical Products, Moog, M&T Bank, Rich Products, Tesla and Wegmans.
What is a Youth Apprenticeship Program?
Youth Apprenticeship is a proven education and workforce strategy that combines paid, structured on-the-job training with related, classroom learning. A youth apprenticeship is a structured, work-based learning program designed to start when apprentices graduate from high school. High-quality youth apprenticeship programs are built on partnerships that include employers, high schools, and providers of postsecondary education, most often a community college.
Paid, on-the-job learning under the supervision of skilled employee mentors for three years
Related, classroom-based instruction from Hilbert College.
Ongoing assessments against established skills and competency standards
Support by breaking down systemic barriers to entry into a professional career
At M&T, Our Apprentices
- Are part-time M&T Employees working in Business Operations & Technology
- Work year – round, adjusting their schedules to take on more hours during school breaks (mid-semester & summer)
- Receive wraparound supports from CareerWise Greater Buffalo and Say Yes Buffalo.
- Have an ecosystem built by their manager & program management team to support them during their Apprenticeship
- Work out of M&T Buildings in Downtown Buffalo
How It Works
Apprentices split time between school and work, operating on a schedule that works for both the students and M&T. M&T follows a conventional approach which means that they are to spend their entire 3-year apprenticeship in the same role and department under the same supervision of the same supervisor.
Over the course of 3 years, their hours slowly ramp up as they become more comfortable taking classes as well as working in a productive nurturing environment.
On-The-Job
On-the-job training, in the form of occupation, rotation or projects
10-20 hours a week
20-24 hours a week
24-35 hours a week
Additional Training
Industry certifications and college coursework
Apprentices attend Hilbert College taking 1- 3 courses relevant to their on-the-job training.
Do you live in the Buffalo area and want to find out more?
The Youth Apprentice Experience
Zamoni Johnson is an M&T Employee, Buffalo State University Freshman, and Youth Apprentice via Say Yes and CareerWise Greater Buffalo.
Zamoni has taken time to share her experience and would love to share.
Apprentice Facts:
- The CareerWise youth apprenticeship model pairs real-world work experience with classroom learning and specialized instruction leading to post-secondary credentials.
- Apprentice employers develop strong, diverse talent pipelines, lower hiring costs, and see an overall return on investment based on the increasingly valuable contributions of the youth apprentices.
- The program is designed to be business-led, with industry informing the occupations and training plans to ensure that the apprenticeships are always relevant and valuable to employers.
- After the completion of their three-year apprenticeships, the students will have earned a certificate or two-year degree and can expect to land a full-time job that pays around $45,000 a year. The median wage in the Buffalo area is about $56,000.
M&T Bank Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, including disabilities and veterans.