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State program gives students hands-on career opportunities

Wouldn’t it be nice to test drive a potential career, just like a car, to see if it really suits your interests before investing time and money into it?

That’s exactly what numerous high school juniors and seniors across Fayette are doing through the Georgia Youth Apprenticeship program. The program offers students the opportunity to train with mentors in a variety of career areas giving them hands-on experience and the skills necessary for a successful career in business or industry. The program was named “a national best practice” in workforce education by Florida’s Career Education Study Task Force in November 2004.

Recent graduate Kristin Thornton got involved in the program during her junior year at Starr’s Mill High. During her last two years of high school, Kristin apprenticed at Mucklow’s Fine Jewelry in Peachtree City pursuing her ambition to become a gemologist. She said the program enabled her to gain valuable knowledge about the gem industry that she otherwise would not have had. For Kristin, the industry turned out to be everything she had hoped and more. She said the real life work experiences and networking opportunities have given her a head start on her career path.

“I’ve loved working at Mucklow’s, it has given me the chance to develop the skills needed to pursue my dream career of being a gemologist,” she said.

The Georgia youth Apprenticeship program, which was established in 1993, not only prepares students for high-skill occupations; it also provides employers with highly trained, technologically sophisticated young workers. Each year a customer satisfaction survey is sent to participating employers to rate their satisfaction with the program and the students they employ. Based on 2004 survey results, 97.5 percent of employers stated that students in the program performed at the level expected; 94.5 percent agreed that the program has been beneficial to their companies and 99.5 stated they would recommend the program to other companies.

Mucklow’s store manager Rachel Mucklow Wood couldn’t agree more with the survey results. She said Kristin has been a great addition to the jewelry store and that the experience has provided a win, win situation for both of them.

“She has a dedicated work ethic this is admirable at her age. When Kristin approached me about the program, I was excited for both of us as I thought this would be the prefect opportunity for her to get more exposure to our industry and allow me to have more time with such a dependable employee,” said Wood.

The youth apprenticeship program is a structured combination of school-based and work-based learning opportunities. Students participating in the program get the opportunity to earn 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and must have 144 hours of related classroom instruction in their career focus area. To be eligible to participate, students must be on track for graduation, have a good attendance record and committed to pursuing post-secondary education. Students earn course credit for the portion of the school day they are on the job site.

“I personally feel that there are many other students just like Kristin who would definitely benefit from the experience of the youth apprenticeship program,” said Wood. “This program is not only teaching the students to deal with mature responsibilities, but it is also allowing them the awesome opportunity to explore their futures.”

For more information about the Georgia Youth Apprenticeship Program, contact Kendra Hipps, youth apprenticeship coordinator for Fayette’s school system, 770-460-3990 Ext. 170.