About Youth Apprenticeship
Cherokee County Schools

 

Eligibility

Application

Forms

Labor Laws

Apprentice Requirements

Youth Rules

 

Ms. Puckett

Click Here to view PowerPoint on Youth Apprenticeship

Georgia Youth Apprenticeship (Georgia Law:  20-2-161.2) is a program of study combining structured school-based and work-based learning which leads to a high school diploma, a post-secondary credential, and a certificate of mastery of occupational skills.  The apprenticeship program is a partnership between employers, employees, schools, and parents which is helping to provide the Georgia economy with a pool of highly trained, technologically sophisticated workers.

  • Approximately 80% of all jobs require additional education beyond high school.

  • Over half of our young people today leave school without the necessary skills to find and hold a job.

  • Approximately 35% of Cherokee County graduates are attending college; less than half of these will complete a 4-year degree.

  • Only approximately 10% of Cherokee’s high school graduates are attending one of Georgia’s Technical Colleges.

  • The key to success is to select an occupation in which one has aptitude and interest, then focus on making oneself marketable.

  • 54% of new U.S. jobs are mid-level technical jobs             

  • 25% of new U.S. jobs require a four year degree

  • Only 30% of students who enter college graduate

  • Over 80% of the jobs in the U.S. in the year 2000 will require training beyond high school

Facilitates the transition from school-to-work and provides valuable benefits for students:

  • Career counseling with defined career program of study

  • Creates relevant link with educational experiences

  •  Provides training in industry standards and work requirements

  • Provides progressive pay based on performance

  • Teaches team-building and work ethics

  • Provides a transition to post-secondary education and the workplace

    The benefits to business and industry are many:
     

  • Companies get a new source of skilled, dependable labor

  • Cost to hire is reduced ($4,000 per position according to the American Management Association). 

  • Schools recruit and screen applicants before forwarding names to companies for interviews and final hiring decision.

  • Shifts part of the cost of training to the schools.   Instead of a company doing remedial training for a new hire already out of school, the company works with the school to develop a curriculum that meets the needs of the company as well as general education requirements.  The HOPE scholarship pays for post-secondary studies in a college or technical school.

  • Companies can cover peak hour staffing needs at a lower cost with youth apprentices than with traditional part-time employees.

BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND LABOR

  • Participate in all phases beginning with initial planning

  • Work in partnership with schools

  • Provide training sites

  • Pay wages

  • Identify, provide, and train mentors

  • Select students

  • Train students to occupational skills standards

  • Evaluate students

  • Provide feedback to students, parents, and schools

  • Establish certification procedures for youth apprentices

EMPLOYEES WHO WILL SERVE AS WORKPLACE MENTORS

  •  Demonstrate work tasks, skills, and methods to students consistent with industry standards

  • Provide consultation to students on all aspects of the work-site experience

  •  Participate in mentor training and orientation

  • Monitor student performance and progress

  • Communicate with employer, youth apprenticeship coordinator, teachers, and parents or guardian

SECONDARY SCHOOL

  • Support program with resources of time and staff development

  • Facilitate necessary scheduling changes, logistical accommodations

  • Participate in all phases of planning

  • Monitor and evaluate program

  • Identify participating instructors

 

Basic Application Requirements

            Before a student may be enrolled in the Youth Apprenticeship Program he or she must have interviewed with the county Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator and completed an Application Packet.  The basic minimum requirements for applying for the program are

  • Be a rising junior, junior or senior at least 16 years old;

  •  Be on track for graduation (technology/career prep or college prep)

  • And have a C+ or better (2.5 or 75 and up) grade point average

    • Some employment opportunities or employer/mentors may require higher GPA

  • Transcript must document completion of 144 hours of high school course work in career pathway

  • Agree to complete at least one year of post-secondary education

The Application Packet will confirm that the student meets other qualifying standards such as good attendance and conduct.  The employing business makes the final choice of whether or not to employ a student apprentice.   A student may appear to be an excellent candidate, but if the Apprenticeship Coordinator is unable to place him/her with a business, the student cannot enroll in apprenticeship.

 

The Application
Click on the above link to print a pdf copy of the application packet

The student must also complete an Application Packet which includes the following forms with appropriate signatures and information from parents:

  •  I.   Student Application Information

  • II.  Student Interest Essay/Paragraph

  • III. & IV Parent Information & Certification

  • Parent/Guardian Consent Form

  • Confidential Teacher Recommendation Forms (2)

  • Attendance/Absentee Confirmation Form

  • Grade Point Average Confirmation Form

  • Disciplinary History Confirmation Form

 

How are apprentices selected? 

Applicants are screened by the Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator to ensure that qualification criteria are met.  The student may also be required to complete an application required by the specific participating business or industry.  For the interview with a potential employer, the student may need to prepare a resume and bring letters of recommendation.  Final selection for an apprenticeship position with a business is determined by that business after their interview with the student.

 

What businesses/industries are participating? 

Apprenticeships for specific occupation areas are constantly under development.  Currently, Cherokee County students are participating in apprenticeships in areas such as:  automotive technology, business and marketing, construction, journey electrician, cosmetology, metals fabrication/welding, pharmacy, nursing, computer technology, and veterinary medicine.

 

To obtain more information about this program: 

Career Pathway Facilitator

Peggy Puckett (click to e-mail)