Vero Beach, FL (12/18/2023) … On Tuesday, September 12th, Youth Guidance held its first pre-apprenticeship class of the 2023 school year with 25 teenagers and young adults (ages 17-24) enrolled.
Now in its third year, the Youth Guidance Pre-Apprenticeship Program introduces Indian River County young adults to five trades, including carpentry, electric, plumbing, HVAC, and welding. The program is the only one of its kind in Indian River County.
The Pre-Apprenticeship Program also provides young adults the opportunity to obtain professional certifications and training cards, including: OSHA-10 certification, first aid and CPR certification, Florida Department of Education pre-apprenticeship completion certificate, NCCER certification (National Construction Center for Education and Research), forklift training card, and high reach training card.
The program is offered at no cost to students thanks to the generosity of the local community. Support for the program comes from the Bank of America Neighborhood Champions Award, the Blair Family Foundation, and individuals and businesses in Indian River County.
“It has been incredible to see the community support the Pre-Apprenticeship Program,” said Youth Guidance Executive Director Phil Barnes. “From donating dollars to gently used tools and building materials – the public truly understands the need for this type of program in Indian River County. There is a nationwide shortage of skilled workers within the trades, and we are working to fill this gap.”
Another key partner, Barnes adds, is the Indian River County School District, which provides a shop space and classroom at Vero Beach High School to facilitate the Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Each session includes classroom learning and hands-on activities, such as framing a wall, wiring an electrical outlet and ceiling fan, learning how to read a tape measure, and using a welding torch. This year’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program started on September 12th and will end on May 16th with a graduation ceremony.
According to Barnes, Youth Guidance launched the Pre-Apprenticeship Program in 2021 and has graduated 25 young adults since then. Out of 25 graduates, seven are currently working in the trade sector, six are attending technical school or a university, six are still in high school, and six are working in jobs outside of the trades.
“Graduating from the pre-apprenticeship is really just the beginning for our students,” Barnes said. “Our goal is to help them start their careers with local employers who will invest in them and help them advance from apprentice to journeyman to master.”
The Pre-Apprenticeship Program is part of Youth Guidance’s overall strategic plan to integrate workforce development into its mentoring initiatives. The organization has been serving Indian River County children and young adults since 1973, and it is currently in the process of renovating its 8,600 square foot facility, located across from City Hall in the former main library building at 1028 20th Place.
The renovation plan includes a workshop, which Barnes said will be used for the Pre-Apprenticeship Program and registered apprenticeship programs for adults.
“After our younger students leave for the night, we will utilize the workshop to provide apprenticeship programs for adults in several different trades, which will lead to receiving a journeyman certificate,” Barnes said.
Apprenticeship programs for adults will be facilitated by Florida Training Services, which has more than 40 years of experience successfully implementing similar programs across the state, Barnes said.
“Florida Training Services is a valued partner and really helped us get our Pre-Apprenticeship Program off the ground,” Barnes said. “We are looking forward to strengthening this partnership to further develop skilled trades programs for our teenagers and young adults as well as the Indian River County community as a whole.”
Construction on the Youth Guidance facility is expected to begin in May of 2024 and be completed by December 2024. Barnes said that Youth Guidance hopes to have pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs in operation at the newly renovated facility by early 2025.
About Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy
Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy is dedicated to enriching the lives of Indian River County youth through mentoring relationships that inspire trust, self-esteem, and positive futures. Founded in 1973, Youth Guidance provides daily meals and mentoring programs to children and young adults ages 5-24 with limited resources. Programs include: One-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, Exchange Parent Aide, and a state-registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program that teaches the skilled trades. Youth Guidance focuses on promoting academic enrichment, life skills, and vocational training. All programs and services at Youth Guidance are provided free of charge.
If you are interested in learning more about Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy or making a donation, please call (772) 492-3933, or visit www.youthguidanceprogram.org.
