Youth apprentices Patrick O’Neal (second from left) and Victor Jacobo (second from right) meet with County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. With them are Brian Blair (left), lead maintenance technician in the Department of Facility Maintenance, and Tracy Diggs, chief of the Office of Transportation Engineering.
FREDERICK, Md. – Frederick County Government has launched a youth apprenticeship program to build talent pipelines, in partnership with Frederick County Public Schools. The program incorporates a diverse range of industries in multiple county divisions. Students develop career skills in customer assistance; trades such as carpentry, HVAC, and vehicle repair; and specialized County services. Participating departments include Facility Maintenance, Fleet Services, Transportation Engineering, Project Management, Development Review & Planning, Water & Sewer Utilities, Workforce Services, and Human Resources.
“As one of the largest employers in the County, it’s important that we leverage connections within our government and allies like Frederick County Public Schools to pave opportunities for students in our community,” County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. “This collaboration offers mentorship opportunities and real-world connections beyond the technical education students experience in the classroom.”
Frederick County Public Schools facilitates the placement of students in apprenticeship opportunities through the state’s Apprenticeship Maryland program. The state program helps to meet requirements of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan, which emphasizes the importance of college and career readiness. Statewide, apprenticeship programs continue to receive praise for ushering in new talent to the job market, affirming the opportunities ahead for Frederick County Government. The county-wide youth apprenticeship program presents students who live in Frederick County the opportunity to serve fellow constituents and to get paid while refining employment skills.
Youth apprentice Brynn Ohlhoff (center) meets with County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and Human Resources Administrator Kristi Gordon (left).
Staff welcomed three FCPS students as the County’s first youth apprentices within Human Resources, Facility Maintenance, and Transportation Engineering. These students will work for at least 450 hours and learn valuable employment skills and receive hands-on experience with the help of their assigned mentor. The apprenticeships are grant-funded, paid work opportunities, and will continue through August 2024.
“The Youth Apprenticeship program not only provides students with the positive opportunity of earning a paycheck while learning valuable life and work skills, but also provides the employer a sustainable pipeline of talented youth that are ready to make a difference in their community,” said Kristi Gordon, Human Resources Administrator. “We are lucky to have a current apprentice in human resources. In just a few weeks, our youth apprentice is creating work product and positively impacting our department, which in turn will positively impact our employees and ultimately the community we serve. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Frederick County Public Schools and creating more apprenticeship opportunities within Frederick County Government.”
Apprentice Brynn Ohlhoff, who is working in the County’s Division of Human Resources, agrees that this has been a positive experience. "I've been able to learn professional skills that will help me later in life, by doing work that will make a difference, and collaborating with a great group of people!"
For more information on youth apprenticeship program opportunities, please visit www.fcps.org.
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