THE CHEROKEE COUNTY YOUTH
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM is an
educational option that prepares high school students for the world of
work through a combination of applied academics and structured workplace
learning. It is based on the belief that our youth must be better
prepared for the future if they are to be successful in a competitive,
global economy. Through a combination of intensive classroom learning and
structured workplace learning, the program involves employers directly in
education, including assessing students’ performance, creating relevant
curriculum, and developing occupational skill standards specific to
business and industry. The three- to six year program provides a direct
link to higher education, with students attending a technical institute,
an approved industrial training program, or a college during the last two
to four years of apprenticeship.
The program begins with general career exploration and
counseling in grades six to ten.
Beginning in the 9th or 10th grade, the student
enrolls in courses related to his/her apprenticeship. In the 11th
or 12th grade, the student begins paid on-the-job training at
the workplace through a structured workplace training program. By the end
of the 12th grade, the students are following chosen career
paths that will continue their study through a post-secondary educational
program.
