Georgia Youth Apprenticeship Program

Purpose: Youth Apprenticeship is a structured combination of school-based and work-based learning linked to postsecondary instructional programs. Through a coordinated effort involving business and industry, Youth Apprenticeship addresses the dual goal of preparing students for the world of work and providing Georgia with a highly skilled, technologically competitive workforce. A student participating in Youth Apprenticeship receives an education that is both academically challenging and relevant to employment in today’s economy. The program enables a student to receive a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate or degree and a certification of industry-recognized competencies applicable to employment in a high-skill occupation. Employers and industry associations play a vital role in defining appropriate standards of performance, providing structured work-based learning, assessing achievement and awarding a credential that recognizes a student’s mastery of skills.

History: Under Georgia Code Section 20-2-161.2, the Georgia Department of Education was authorized to establish Youth Apprenticeship Programs, with the stated goal of implementing comprehensive programs in all schools. Working in conjunction with the Department of Labor and the Department of Technical and Adult Education, the Department of Education developed standards and procedures necessary to implement the programs. Essential components of Georgia’s Youth Apprenticeship Program are

• a partnership structure involving secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, employers and community representatives;
• structured linkage between secondary and postsecondary components, leading to a high school diploma and postsecondary credential; and
• academic and vocational classroom instruction combined with on-the-job learning experiences.

Work-based learning includes the development of a detailed training plan between the employer and apprentice, identification of specific work tasks that will develop workplace competency, a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training with earnings based on a progressive wage schedule established by the participating employer, workplace mentoring and instruction in general workplace competencies, as well as all aspects of a chosen industry. School-based learning includes a minimum of 144 classroom hours of related academic instruction, selection of a career major by 11^th grade, periodic examinations and ongoing guidance.

Youth Apprenticeship Programs are in place at 82 sites, involving 3,708 students in 163 participating school systems and more than 2,500 participating employers. The state appropriated $4.34 million to support the Youth Apprenticeship Program.

 

For more information on Georgia Youth Apprenticeship Programs, contact
Mamie Hanson, GDOE, 1752 Twin Towers East, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 657-6279, FAX: (404) 651-8984, E-mail: mhanson@doe.k12.ga.us