Guest Author, Clara Liles, Apprenticeship Coordinator, Hillyard Technical Center
The Northwest Missouri Regional Youth Apprenticeship program is the epitome of how true collaboration within a community can enhance education as well as reap rewards for the local economy. The program initiated out of the Workforce Alliance efforts between the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and the St. Joseph School District. The data collected from Chamber studies showed high need areas and those were targeted for program occupations. The related technical instruction happens at Hillyard Technical Center and the on-the-job training takes place at our 36 industry partners. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Institute for Workplace Skills & Innovation, Department of Labor and the Missouri Apprenticeship Team have all helped the program to grow and expand since itsâ inception.
St. Joseph has been recognized as one of the best places to work in manufacturing. In a school district with 69% free and reduced lunch and 70.5% attendance, this program makes learning relevant and puts our youth on a path for upward mobility. This is a step in the right direction toward helping our youth become productive citizens and hopefully stay in our community. Apprenticeship empowers youth to be able to make choices based on their passions and propels them into middle-wage careers without debt.
Montana Frakes graduated from Hillyard Technical Centerâs Computer Services Program in 2022 and completed the Registered Youth Apprenticeship program for Information Technology Generalist. He has since accepted a full-time position with local company Offsite Image Management and is concurrently pursuing his degree in Computer Science.
Montana wanted to send this message to young students, âHillyard really opened the door to multiple job opportunities for me. If youâre willing to study and get your certifications, youâll be rewarded greatly. I truly think Hillyard is the best program St. Joe has to offer for any high school student. Even if you arenât sure what you want to do as a career, Iâd encourage anyone to branch out and find a program they want to try. Even if itâs just to learn a new trade, this opportunity will not come again, especially without financial need.”
There are two key facets that have made our program successful â the structure of the program and the support the students receive as they are entering the workforce. The structure of the program is a pre-apprenticeship to registered apprenticeship model. Students fill out the interest form at the beginning of their junior year and all students are accepted. Pre-apprenticeship gets them thinking about registered apprenticeship as an option and preparing for the workforce through preparation of resumes, practicing interviewing skills, high attendance requirements, and a B or higher in their technical course. Ultimately, students who are chosen for apprenticeship are celebrated at a signing ceremony in which they are announced as a registered apprentice with their company sponsor and are celebrated by family and school personnel.
Students like Hesston Schopfer, Collision & Body Repair Apprentice at Ken Smith Autobody, come in with strong employability skills and the desire to learn which makes the transition to the workforce very smooth.
Hesston has this to say about his pathway, âIâve always had a higher work ethic from my father and being raised on a farm. I knew college wasnât for me since 7th grade. I knew I wanted to join the workforce or a tech school and when I came to Hillyard the opportunity presented itself. Iâve loved every second of the apprenticeship program and it has helped me connect with people and realize what I want to do with my life. Going to Ken Smith has been great, theyâve helped me learn more effectively and taught me to work harder and faster.â
Trade careers are finally starting to get the recognition and valuation that they deserve. Easton Lysaght is an example of a student who has always done well in the academic world yet finds the greatest reward in working with his hands. Easton is in the top 10% of his graduating class at Lafayette High School and a welding student at Hillyard Technical Center. Easton has found fulfillment this year in being able to do what he loves as a Registered Youth Apprentice at Midland Steel in Wathena, Kansas.
Eastonâs mother, Wende, has this to say about his chosen career path. âMy husband and I are so proud of our son, Easton, for following his dreams and becoming a welder. We have always stressed the importance of college or a professional plan for our children for their future. Three of our children have chosen the college route. When Easton came to us as a sophomore and said he didnât want to go to college, we were a bit surprised. Easton has always been one of the top 11 students in his class and is qualified for the gifted program through SJSD. I always assumed he would go to college. His dreams and plans lead him in a completely different direction. When his dad and I asked him what his plan was if he didnât want to attend college, he replied with ‘I would like to attend Hillyard and go into the field of welding.’ He independently gathered data on the qualifications for his dream career and what he wanted to accomplish in his life. It was easy to support his decision with all he presented to us.”
“The path Easton chose has been such an exciting and successful one for him. Easton applied for an apprenticeship through Hillyard and was chosen by Midland Steel. He has been acknowledged by his employer as exemplary. I often think of the Dr. Suess book, âOh The Places You Will Goâ, when talking about the decision Easton made that wasnât along the beaten path. He chose a path less traveled and is being rewarded immensely by it thus far.â
There are 25 seniors graduating this year that are on track to receive their Department of Labor Apprenticeship Certificates. This month we will be celebrating the signing of 32 students in the next Youth Apprentice cohort. These success stories would not be possible without the support of industry partners and a community that believes in working together to support the development of our greatest asset, our youth.
Photos: John Morris, Video Production Specialist, St. Joseph School District
