What do you want to be when

you grow up?

Kristie Culpepper, a senior at Starr's Mill High school, wants to become

a veterinarian. Lome Pineaar, a McIntosh High School senior, sees a future

in broadcast journalism.

Both young women are earning experience in the work place before graduation

through Fayette County School District's Youth Apprenticeship program.

Three students piloted the program in January 2000. There are now 31 students

working between one and four hours a day in 18 different fields.

The program is being coordinated by Pat Sennett, a former Fayette County

High School teacher, who is successfully pairing up students with mentors

in their chosen field. Funded by a state grant and matching local funds,

apprenticeships in the real job world offer students "a running start

on career preparation," Sennett said.

"It is my firm belief that youth apprenticeship can provide our community

with a continuing supply of skilled workers for our businesses and industries.

The program emphasizes school-based learning the traditional three R's

however, the fourth R, relevance, which can best be taught by skilled

mentors in their own business settings, is the cornerstone of this program,"

Sennett added. "This allows the schools to send the students to industry

to obtain relevant skilled instruction from the people who know best,

business and industry professionals.

"We are bringing the classroom into industry and returning to our

schools with real life experiences and skills," he said. "This

is a true collaboration of spirit and effort."

Culpepper admits to being a lifelong animal lover and is hoping to become

a veterinarian specializing in large animal care. She reported that her

apprenticeship at the Braelinn Village Animal Hospital is "going

very well." Culpepper is working with Dr. Ray

Rudd and his team, performing menial tasks as well as observing animal

surgeries. She is even being allowed to hold surgical tools during procedures.

"I've really learned a lot and discovered that I'm not real squeamish,"

Culpepper said, referring to the "blood and stuff" that accompanies

animal care. She works 15 hours a week and is confident that her on-the-job

experience will boost her chances of admission to the veterinary medicine

program at Auburn University.

Mary Kay Rudd, who manages the animal with her husband, Dr. Ray Rudd,

and their four on-staff veterinarians, praised Culpepper for her dependability

and reliability. She said Culpepper had proven herself even before signing

on with the Youth Apprenticeship program, having worked all summer at

the clinic. Rudd said she would like to have Culpepper take on more tasks

as the year progresses.

Lome Pineaar is putting in her work time at Joy 93.3. Christian radio

station in Peachtree City. For an hour a day, she writes news stories

pulled from wire service reports for the afternoon show. "I love

it," she said enthusiastically. "I'm really honored to be working

at 93.3; it's a great opportunity." Pineaar is beginning to look

at colleges with journalism programs. Her "dream school" is

Columbia University's School of Journalism in New York City.

Kids R Kids Day Care on Lexington Pass in Peachtree City hired Sara Zivitch

of McIntosh High School for her work/study plan. Sara said that she really

enjoys the children and is frequently touched by the drawings she receives

from her small charges.

Delane Vowell, Kids R Kids director, said, "I think the program is

great. I'm really amazed at how mature these young girls are and how well

they handle situations that arise in day care. Sara knows how to keep

her cool."

The steadily growing need for skilled workers has prompted local educators

to take a second look at post secondary school options. Sennett has gathered

some sobering statistics

which he includes in his power point presentation on the Youth Apprenticeship

program.

While 98 percent of parents with school-age children want them to go on

to college, only 15 percent of beginning ninth graders will graduate from

college, according to Sennett's research. The Bureau of Labor Statistics

further states that "65 percent of high school graduates will obtain

career employment in areas not requiring a four-year degree."

It's clear that schools must focus their resources to better prepare students

for the reality of the workplace, according to Sennett.

Last year in a newspaper interview, Kenneth Breeden, Georgia's commissioner

on technical and adult education, said, "More students enter tech

schools from college campuses than any other way. The problem is that

less than 10 percent enter from high schools, as counselors tend to promote

college even when this represents a false promise."

Last year alone, the state witnessed the creation of 20,000 information

technology jobs. By 2006, there will be 90,000 jobs in this field, based

on predictions compiled by Georgia State University.

"The acquisition of education and training skills is the currency

of the future," said Gov. Roy Barnes, noting the need for technical

skills among Georgia's work force.

In order to participate in Fayette County Schools' Youth Apprenticeship

program, a student must be on track for graduation, have a good attendance

record, commit to post secondary education, be in the 11th or 12th grade,

have a career interest and have the permission and support of their parents.

Once accepted into the program, the student will earn about two years

on-the-job paid work experience in a selected career area, receive industry

credentials for training and continue their education at a technical or

academic college.

To contact Sennett, phone 770-460-3990, extension 170, or e-mail [email protected].