North Charleston, SC – Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day might not have the same national notoriety as National Signing Day. However, in the Lowcountry, this regional collaborative effort with school districts, businesses, and organizations is picking up steam.

The 4th Annual Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day was held at Trident Technical College (TTC) August 8, 2017. Sixty-one students, including 27 from Charleston County School District (CCSD), made their commitment to local businesses “official” by signing a document.

“Our Youth Apprenticeship Program is just one of many ways that CCSD prepares students to be college, career, and citizenship ready,” said Rich Gordon, CCSD’s Career and Technology Education Executive Director. “Apprenticeships, aligned with the appropriate classroom instruction, provide rigorous and relevant academic, technical, and employability training for a wide variety of high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand 21st century careers.”

Modeled after National Signing Day, where high school student-athletes sign National Letters of Intent to colleges or universities where they will play a sport, Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day gives students who are going into the workforce at a young age a similar experience when it comes to excitement and importance.

“This event provides us with the opportunity to celebrate the most exciting educational initiative I have experienced in my entire career,” said Trident Technical College President Mary Thornley. “It is exciting because this program has power. It has the power to change lives in remarkable ways and the power to accelerate our economy and build a strong community. It is also exciting because it is a shining example of the type of change that can occur when multiple organizations work together in a united effort to achieve a common goal.”

Special thanks to signing day’s  keynote speaker Amy Firestone from the US Department of Labor.  And special thanks to Debbie Meuli, formally with local manufacturer IFA Rotorion, for sharing the story on how the Charleston region’s Youth Apprenticeship program began over 4 years ago with a meeting she hosted after the president of her company asked, “Where are my Youth Apprentices?”

Thanks to the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, and their Accelerate Greater Charleston initiative, the participating students’ college tuition and fees were taken care of for the inaugural cohort, and this wonderful support for the Charleston’s Youth Apprenticeship program continues today!

The following CCSD students and graduates participated in the 2017 Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day:

Academic Magnet HS

Kevin Boyd, Class of 2019 (CNA/Pre-Nursing with Roper St. Francis Healthcare)

Jared Lipton, Class of 2019 (CNA/Pre-Nursing with East Cooper Medical)

Burke HS

Sheniah Everson, Classic of 2019 (CNA/Pre-Nursing with Roper St. Francis Healthcare)

Charleston Charter School of Math and Science

Jackson Beall, Class of 2019 (Industrial Mechanic with Bosch)

Nicholas Brennan, Class of 2017 (Networking with Trident Technical College)

Charles Gries, Class of 2018 (EMT with North Charleston Fire Department)

Garrett Academy of Technology

NyAsia Green, Class of 2019 (Bookkeeping with Greystar)

James Island Charter HS

John C. Geiger, Class of 2017 (Industrial Mechanic with VTL Precision)

Magjholy Miller, Class of 2018 (Culinary Arts with Kiawah Partners)

R.B. Stall HS

Joshua Blackwell, Class of 2019 (Auto Mechanic with Hendrick Automotive)

Kyra Kriseman, Class of 2017 (Hotel Operations with Hyatt Place)

Cameron Lattimore-Johnson, Class of 2017 (Auto Mechanic with Hendrick Automotive)

Kyle Masterson, Class of 2018 (Industrial Mechanic with Cummins)

Wando HS

Marco Barrera, Class of 2018 (EMT with Dorchester EMS)

Frederica Baldassarre, Class of 2017 (EMT with Dorchester EMS)

Patrick Boyle, Class of 2018 (Programming with NetGalaxy)

Holt Davis, Class of 2017 (EMT with Roper St. Francis Healthcare)

Callie Drinko, Class of 2019 (Auto Mechanic with Anderson Automotive)

Parker Frontz, Class of 2018 (Auto Mechanic with Hendrick Automotive)

Porter Rice, Class of 2018 (Auto Mechanic with Anderson Automotive)

Allison Shipp, Class of 2018 (Civil CAD with Meador)

Colin McIntire, Class of 2018 (Auto Mechanic with Hendrick Automotive)

West Ashley HS

Julian Aycock, Class of 2018 (Auto Mechanic with MINI of Charleston)

Tyler Brooks, Class of 2018 (Auto Mechanic with Jones Ford)

Briana Brown, Class of 2017 (Medical Office Assistant with Roper St. Francis Healthcare)

Ashley King, Class of 2017 (Networking with Blackbaud)

Tre Scott-Johnson, Clas of 2018 (Security / Pre-Law Enforcement)

CCSD Youth Apprentices hired in 2016, now continuing into their 2nd year of the program:

Academic Magnet HS

Michael Pi, Class of 2018 (Programming with Boeing SC)

Damon Otero, Class of 2018 (Networking with Kotori)

Garrett Academy of Technology

Ty’Celia M. Young, Class of 2018 (Industrial Mechanics with VTL Presicion)

James Island Charter HS

Robert D. Paige, Class of 2018 (Industrial Mechanics with Bosch)

R.B. Stall HS

Ian K. Cole, Class of 2018 (Industrial Mechanics with IFA Rotorion)

West Ashley HS

Khaseem Capers, Class of 2016 (HVAC with Limric)

Malik Miller, Class of 2016 (HVAC with Cullum)

Keenah Saunders, Class of 2017 (Medical Office Assistant with Roper St. Francis Healthcare)

Special thanks to all the amazing partners that ensure this opportunity is available for students in the Charleston region, including: the host companies in 16 career pathways, Trident Technical College, Apprenticeship Carolina, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, the US Department of Labor, and educators in schools throughout the community.

To learn more about Youth Apprenticeships, please visit this page on the Trident Technical College website: http://www.tridenttech.edu/career/workforce/car_youth_apprenticeships.htm