Hume, MO — Hume School District is proud to announce the signing of Wyatt Brooks into the Registered Youth Apprenticeship (RYA) program, making this the first time our district has offered this career-connected pathway. Wyatt will begin building valuable skills as an employee of Dirks Heavy Contractors, combining classroom learning and paid work experience in his field of interest.
Missouri’s RYA program is a structured “earn-and-learn” pathway that allows high school students to remain enrolled in academic classes while participating in paid, on-the-job training within local businesses. This program is registered and monitored with the Department of Labor. Students in RYA can also earn industry-recognized credentials and his specific program will include 2,000 hours of training.
This opportunity not only supports Wyatt’s personal career trajectory, but also strengthens the connection between education and local industry. The program offers benefits for:
Students: gain real-world experience, earn wages, and build credentials while still in high school
Employers: tap into a pipeline of motivated, skilled young workers trained for their specific workforce needs
Schools & educators: enhance career and technical education (CTE) by aligning instruction with workplace learning
We extend sincere thanks to Betty Glasgow and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Dirks Heavy Contractors and their team, and all who contributed to making this program a reality at Hume.
This milestone signals the beginning of a new chapter for Hume students, one where academic achievement, career readiness, and community partnerships intersect. We are excited to see future opportunities this program will foster for our students and local industries.
For more information about Missouri’s Registered Youth Apprenticeship program, visit the DESE RYA page. Missouri DESE
This program was initiated through the rootEd Missouri Advisor at Hume School. rootEd Alliance’s mission is clear: “Every rural student should graduate high school on a path that leads to career success and economic stability.”
Picture Left to Right: Betty Glasgow, Wyatt Brooks, Franklin Dirks