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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