Baltimore and Montgomery Counties Join Maryland’s Growing Youth Apprenticeship Program

Twelve Counties Now Offering Students the Opportunity to Earn While They Learn

BALTIMORE (September 10, 2019) – Governor Larry Hogan, together with Maryland Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson and Maryland State Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon, today announced that Baltimore and Montgomery County Public School Systems have joined the Apprenticeship Maryland Program. Twelve counties are now participating in the state’s apprenticeship program for high school juniors and seniors, which accounts for half of the public school systems within the state.

“As a new school year begins, students in twelve of Maryland’s local public school systems will have the opportunity to explore a chosen career while earning a wage and learning through on-the-job training,” said Governor Hogan. “The Apprenticeship Maryland Program is setting high school students on a path to a successful career while connecting Maryland’s businesses with a pipeline of skilled workers.”

The Apprenticeship Maryland Program gives high school juniors and seniors a head start on their future career by developing valuable career skills and a professional network. This program is open to all industries with a priority on high-growth career tracks. With apprenticeable occupations in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), and manufacturing, students gain valuable work experience through a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction.

“The Apprenticeship Maryland Program allows students to receive valuable instruction in the field and the classroom without incurring any tuition debt,” said Labor Secretary Robinson. “While seeking full-time employment after high school graduation, youth apprentices have an advantage over other candidates and stand out to employers because they have already developed a practical skill set and earned industrial credentials.”

Youth apprenticeship program students work a minimum of 450 hours with a certified employer, while receiving related educational training through their high school. Participating students typically work during the summer after their junior year and during their senior year with a state-approved employer. They work with a mentor to learn valuable skills and high school credit.

“The Maryland State Department of Education is committed to expanding the Apprenticeship Career and Technical Education Program,” said Maryland State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon. “Baltimore and Montgomery Counties join the growing list of school systems that are implementing career and technical education programs designed to prepare our future workforce.”

The Apprenticeship Maryland Program was founded in 2015 as a pilot in Frederick and Washington counties, and is a partnership between the Maryland Department of Labor, the Maryland State Department of Education, the Department of Commerce, county public school systems, community educational and business partners, and area employers.

"Increasing access to authentic, paid work-based opportunities is an incredible benefit to students," said Dr. Darryl L. Williams, superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools. "We look forward to exposing even more students to not only their chosen field, but also to the broader world of skills and knowledge that go along with successful employment."

With today’s announcement, twelve counties now participate in the program: Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Dorchester, Frederick, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Talbot, and Washington counties. As in other participating counties, Montgomery and Baltimore County Public Schools will coordinate student placements.

“It is our job to prepare all of our students to be successful now and in the future. We are excited to offer students new opportunities to explore career options, as well as gain paid real-world work experience,” said Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Jack Smith. “Not only will this program offer students another pathway to a high school diploma, it will help to prepare them for life after high school as well as build our local workforce.”

High school juniors and seniors interested in becoming a youth apprentice in Baltimore County may contact Michael Grubbs at 443-809-9591. Students in Montgomery County may contact Genevieve Floyd at 240-740-4044. Businesses interested in hiring a youth apprentice may contact the Maryland Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Maryland Program Manager Jeffrey Smith at 410-767-0227. To learn more about apprenticeship opportunities, visit our youth apprenticeship page.

About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We're proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow the Maryland Department of Labor on Twitter (@MD_Labor), Facebook and visit our website.

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