Author: HOLLY, CINDI

YAP Areas of Study
Agriculture
Audio/Video Production
Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair
Aviation Maintenance
Barbering
Business, Management and Administration
Cosmetology
Culinary Arts
Early Childhood Education
Electronics
Engineering and Technology
Finance
Fine Furniture
Healthcare Science
HVACR
Industrial Maintenance
Information Technology
Law and Justice
Marketing
Teaching as a Profession
Welding

What employers are saying about YAP students:
...a very valuable asset to me and is very willing to help in any capacity needed.
Houston Healthcare Athletic Trainer
...has done a great job for us in the ER.
..excellent student.
She is doing an amazing job.
..excellent. Glad to have her.
Houston Healthcare
We love her.
Houston County State Court

YOUTH
APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAM
Houston County Schools

For more information, please contact:
Sandi Couillard
Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator
Houston County Career Academy
1311 Corder Road
Warner Robins, GA 31088
Cell: 478-293-8691
Office: 478-322-3280 Ext 50202
sandi.couillard@hcbe.net
David McDermott
Director of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education
Houston County Board of Education
1100 Main Street
P.O. Box 1850
Perry, GA 31069
Ph: 478-988-6222 Ext 10226
Cell: 478-808-9860
david.mcdermott@hcbe.net

A PARTNERSHIP TO CREATE TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE

The Youth Apprenticeship Program

Youth Apprenticeship is a structured combination of school-based and work-based learning. Through a coordinated effort involving business and industry, Youth Apprenticeship addresses the dual role of preparing students for the world of work and providing Georgia with a highly skilled, technologically competitive workforce. A student participating in the Youth Apprenticeship Program 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 post-secondary certificate or degree, and certification of industry-recognized competencies applicable to employment in a high-skilled occupation.
Essential Components of Georgia’s Youth Apprenticeship Program are:
a partnership structure involving secondary schools, post-secondary institutions, employers, and community representatives
a structured linkage between secondary and post-secondary components, leading to a high school diploma and post-secondary credential
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 competencies; a minimum of 720 hours of on-the-job training; workplace mentoring; and instruction in general workplace competencies as well as all aspects of a chosen industry.
In addition to meeting the required guidelines to be a part of the Youth Apprenticeship Program, students are also expected to excel in these areas:
academic performance
school and workplace behavior
job performance
There are three critical elements that must be in place before a Youth Apprenticeship student can truly experience an authentic work-based learning experience. Those three elements are:
the mentor (someone who provides guidance and encouragement to student),
student evaluations (done by the employer and serves as an assessment tool for the student’s job performance
professional portfolios

Benefits:
To students:
establishing a clear connection between education and work
increasing motivation and retention by showing the relevance of academic and occupational instruction
providing opportunities to explore possible careers and enhancing skill development
developing workplace responsibility and positive work habits and attitudes
encouraging completion of secondary education and enrollment in post-secondary education
providing opportunities for leadership
learning from skilled professionals
To employers:
increase employer visibility in education
prepare future workers
reduce costs for recruiting and training
improve employee retention
offer a skilled, homegrown workforce for Georgia
The community:
providing an informed, competent, and productive future workforce
ensuring cooperation and understanding between education, business, and the community
enhancing awareness of local employment opportunities
building the foundation for a more productive local economy