Talbot County Public Schools will join the Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP), the state’s apprenticeship program for high school juniors and seniors. Talbot’s participation brings the total to six counties in the program, which was launched statewide last year following its successful two-year pilot in Frederick and Washington counties.
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.
The program gives high school juniors and seniors a head start on their future career by developing valuable career skills and a professional network. With apprenticeable occupations in manufacturing, science, technology, engineering, and math, students gain valuable work experience through a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. Businesses, in turn, are presented with an opportunity to groom the next generation of the workforce and establish a pipeline to employment. Download the brochure here.
The county school systems coordinate student placements with local businesses. Talbot County has established a goal of placing up to five students during the first year of the program and then expanding the opportunities each year.
Read the full press release here.
Businesses interested in hiring a youth apprentice may contact Jeffrey Smith, Maryland Department of Labor program manager, at 410-767-0227 or info@mdapprenticeship.com.