Pre-apprenticeship programs help youth and adults enter a Registered Apprenticeship program, further training, or the workforce. One of the challenges with starting and sustaining a pre apprenticeship program is bridging the gap between the business and educational leaders' understanding of the program. The bridge between the two sectors is a person or group acting as the champion for creating the organization. This research answers the question, "What key partnership roles are needed to start and sustain a high-quality youth pre-apprenticeship program?" Significant findings show that the program must be managed like a business. In the United States, there are very few studies on pre-apprenticeships specifically. Therefore, this research immediately impacts community-based organizations starting and sustaining a pre apprenticeship program.