Friday, December 5, 2001

Apprenticeship program serves students, businesses

Helping students gain valuable work experience before they graduate high school while preparing a future work force for the county is the aim of the Fayette County schools Youth Apprenticeship program.

Implemented by the Fayette County Board of Education in 1999, the program is designed to train young men and women for employment in a variety of businesses and industries. Although the program was introduced to the school system several years ago, this is its first year of full implementation.

Currently 54 students in five of the county's high schools are participating in youth apprenticeship. The program is open to both juniors and seniors. Students must be on track for graduation, have good attendance records, be willing to commit to pursuing a post secondary education, have parental permission and support, and show career interest to gain entry into the program.

Apprentices train in a variety of situations with mentors, learning the skills necessary for a successful career. Once a student completes the apprenticeship program, he or she has enough knowledge to secure an entry-level position within a particular field. Areas in which students can obtain apprenticeships include business, marketing and information management, environmental and agricultural sciences, human services, health and medical, technical engineering, and arts and humanities.

Once accepted into the program, students are expected to log approximately 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. They are released from school for several periods each day so that they can fulfill their apprenticeship duties. Students receive school credit and a grade for the program.

Before a student begins an apprenticeship in a field, a training plan is developed, with the help of the employer, which outlines job duties that he or she must be exposed to before the apprenticeship ends. Apprentices are paid for the work they do while gaining job skills and experience.

Students are required to keep portfolios explaining the jobs they have been assigned as well as what they have learned through each assignment. They are also evaluated periodically by their employers to document their progress.

"Most students show a high level of maturity when they enter the program. You can see a real growth in them as they progress through the apprenticeship," said youth apprenticeship coordinator Patrick Sennett.

Starr's Mill High School junior Josh Padgett is planning a career in the construction industry after he graduates. He decided it would be a good idea for him to get a head start on learning skills that will help him secure a job in the field.

As part of his apprenticeship agreement with the school system, Padgett has agreed to continue his education by earning a degree in construction from an accredited technical college. He believes that the program is a valuable resource for preparing students for life after high school. He says he plans to participate in it next year and encourages classmates to consider applying for the program as well.

"By the time I graduate from high school I will have a good understanding of the different types of jobs in the construction industry. When I enroll in tech school, I think the courses will be easier for me because I will have already been exposed to the different areas that I'll learn about," said Padgett, who is employed by Brent Scarbrough and Company Inc.

Like Padgett, Fayette County High School senior Kyle Ziegler says he is planning on a construction career. Ziegler, who is also employed by Scarbrough and Company and participating in the program for the first time, says his older brother works construction and that the two of them plan to start their own business in about 10 years. Working with a locally owned construction company, Ziegler not only gets hands-on experience learning about different duties in the field, but he also has an opportunity to educate himself on the ins and outs of owning a business.

"This is a great place to work. Brent Scarbrough allowed me to work here during the summer before the apprenticeship program started. I have been gaining a lot of experience that will look great on a resume and hopefully I will be able to continue to work here while I attend tech school," said Ziegler.

Other students offered their experiences about the program. Justin Graham, a Sandy Creek High School senior, is beginning his second year as an apprentice with Gene Evans Ford. "This is the real thing," Graham commented. "I am learning and working in a great environment." Brian Munday, a Fayette County High School senior, observed that the instruction he receives as an apprentice in the Fayette County Board of Education's technology department "equals or surpasses anything I have had in the schools. This is hands-on learning from real experts," Munday said.

Besides earning job experience in a field of interest, the apprenticeship program also provides students an opportunity to see whether a career choice is right for them. Research shows that the average person changes careers about six times in a lifetime.

Most people decide on a career and invest time and money into an educational program to prepare them before they experience the daily grinds of the field. Students participating as apprentices have knowledge of the type of work they enjoy before making a financial investment in a career choice.

Not only does Fayette's Youth Apprenticeship Program help prepare young adults to enter into a career field, it also serves as a resource for local companies because employers have the opportunity to train their future work force.

At the end of the apprenticeship, employers have a potential employee who can already perform a job on at least an entry level. This saves a company time and money because the employee is already trained and can immediately fulfill job requirements.

"This is our first year working with the program and we have been extremely happy with the experience," said Frank James, safety director for Brent Scarbrough and Company Inc. When these students get ready to come into the work force, they will be trained employees and will be able to hit the ground running. We look forward to seeing other young men and women apply to do apprenticeships with us."

High school juniors and seniors who are interested in participating in the Youth Apprenticeship Program can pick up applications from their counselors. The program is always in search of new industry sponsors to add to its growing list. For information phonen Sennett at 770-560-3990, ext. 170.

At the job site are, from left, apprentices Kyle Ziegler and Josh Padgett with Frank James of

There are still openings for the 2002 Leadership Fayette Class. If you or your staff would like to

Please contact Shannon at the Chamber if you have any questions regarding the program or if

participate in this great class starting in January please send in your applications today!

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