Apprentice Experience
The Apprentice experience is grounded in structure, shared responsibility, and a healthy dose of doing hard things. Apprentices live together, work side-by-side, and build the core skills needed for adulthood: both in the trades and in life.
Here’s what a typical Phase One week looks like:
Phase One Sample Schedule
Monday-Thursday
6:00-8:30am — Wake-up, morning routine, breakfast
8:30-9:00am — Morning meeting and workday planning
9:00-1:00pm — Trade Time (Culinary, Building, Land, Auto)
1:00-2:00pm — Lunch
2:00-6:00pm — Life Skills Training
6:00-7:00pm — Dinner
7:00-8:30pm — Group Activity
8:30-10:00pm — Night Routine + Free Time
Friday
6:00-8:30am — Wake-up, morning routine, breakfast
8:30-9:00am — Morning meeting + trip prep
9:00-1:00pm — Outdoor Education
1:00-2:00pm — Lunch
2:00-6:00pm — Integrated with Outdoor Ed
6:00-7:00pm — Dinner
7:00-8:30pm — House Meeting or Social Activity
8:30-10:00pm — Extended Free Time (till 11pm)
Once an Apprentice demonstrates they have the core professional skills of reliability, willingness to learn, and accountability, they can progress into paid employment in Phases Two and Three.
Every apprentice at The Trade becomes part of a working community — side by side with other young adults who are also building skills, confidence, and direction.
It’s a place where effort is respected, growth is expected, and no one is asked to figure life out alone.
With skilled mentors who know their trades and know how to treat people with respect, apprentices are supported in developing both practical abilities and personal maturity. The program unfolds in a beautiful, rural setting — with the mountains, woods, and trails as a constant backdrop for work, reflection, and connection.
During off hours, Apprentices can choose to engage in a variety of outdoor adventures and activities including Quarterly group adventures in the White Mountains as well as regular hiking, biking, and skiing activities in the White Mountains.
