Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP)
Program Description
Apprenticeship Maryland is a youth apprenticeship program for students, ages 16 and up, that is designed for students that want to gain experience in the workplace with plans to continue in that industry after graduation. This program was developed in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Department of Labor (MDoL) to provide students a unique opportunity to “earn and learn."
The program focuses on career pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations. The STEM-related occupations include those in:
- Information Technology
- Health and Biomedical Sciences
- Manufacturing
- Construction and Design
- Banking and Finance
Participating students start the program in the summer or fall of their junior or senior year. Students must complete at least 450 hours of work-based training under the supervision of an eligible employer and at least one year of related instruction.
Course Sequence
Sample High School Schedule
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technology Education Requirement | Elective | Apprenticeship I | Apprenticeship II |
| 2 | Health/Fitness For Life Requirement | Elective | Elective | Apprenticeship III |
| 3 | Fine Arts Requirement | Financial Literacy | Elective | Apprenticeship III |
| 4 | Science Requirement | Science Requirement | Science Requirement | Apprenticeship IV |
| 5 | History Requirement | History Requirement | History Requirement | Apprenticeship IV |
| 6 | English Requirement | English Requirement | English Requirement | English Requirement |
| 7 | Math Requirement | Math Requirement | Math Requirement | Math Requirement |
*Note: The schedule above is a sample only. Students should always review course selections with school counselors and refer to the current Charles County Public Schools High School Program of Studies.*
High Schools that offer the Program
Employer Information
The Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) gives your business a unique opportunity to train, influence, and shape high school students into top-performing employees who are invested in your business.
Benefits of the Program
- Build your workforce. Youth apprenticeship trains workers in the specific skills needed by your company.
- Connect to the talent of the future. Youth apprenticeships are a great way to develop a pipeline of talented, high-skilled workers to help your business grow.
- Contribute to your bottom line. You will see a noticeable contribution to your company through these highly productive and motivated employees.
- Plan for employee succession. Youth apprenticeships help you successfully facilitate the transfer of knowledge from experienced employees to new recruits.
To participate in the Apprenticeship Maryland Program, employers must submit an application and be approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship Training Council (MATC) through DLLR, prior to hiring apprentices.
Become an Eligible Employer
- Complete the form below to notify CCPS your interest.
- Meet with CCPS and the MDoL Navigator to review the program
- Create a position, job description, and pay rate
- Complete the MDoL application to become an eligible employer
Requirements
- Get approval as an Eligible Employer
- Schedule interviews and hire from students applications provided by the Charles County Public Schools Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) Coordinator
- Work with the AMP Coordinator to coordinate the youth agreement and develop a training plan for the apprentice
- Provide a mentor
- Commit to employing and training the youth apprentice for at least 450-hours (about 20 + hours a week) within a specified period (not to exceed 14 months)
- Pay the youth apprentice no less than minimum wage for all work performed during the program
- Authorize the mentor to complete quarterly progress reviews for WBL
- Instruct the youth apprentice in the required competencies provided for this program
- Comply with applicable child labor and employment of minors laws with regard to number of hours worked, prohibited occupations and equipment, and time of day employment for youth apprentices
- Provide safety instruction in work practices
- Provide safe equipment and facilities in compliance with OSHA requirements
Business with questions or interested in partnering with Charles County Public Schools, contact the Career and Technical Education department below:
* Required
Student Information
How do I become a Youth Apprentice?
Step 1 Review the open positions and find one that aligns to your skills and career interests.
Step 2 Complete and submit an application packet to the AMP Coordinator, not the employer.
Step 3 CCPS will send your application to employers who will contact you for an interview. If hired, the AMP Coordinator will work with to complete the required paperwork and your school counselor to adjust your school schedule.
A complete application includes:
-
A completed Apprenticeship Maryland Program Student Application Form
- A cover letter
- A resume
-
Two Completed Recommendation Forms:
-
Email form to a teacher/staff member who knows you well. They will complete it and send it to the AMP Coordinator.
Submit all the above in one email to the AMP Coordinator, not the employer.
Resource Center
Cover Letters
If you have very little or no work experience, finding a job might seem challenging. However, a well-written cover letter is a great way to convince employers that you’re worth hiring.
This is an opportunity for you to highlight your work ethic, passion, and the valuable skills you acquired from other real-life experiences, such as school courses, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work.
Your cover letter should include the following:
- Why you want to be a youth apprentice,
- How do your career interests relate to the apprenticeship program for which you are applying,
- Description of how you think any related high school courses you are currently taking or have taken in the past (Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, mathematics, English, etc.) will help you succeed in your apprenticeship; and
- Why you should be considered as a participant in the Apprenticeship Maryland Program.
Resumes
Resumes are about showing an employer that you are the right person for the job.
You want to show them that you’re a competent, passionate, and responsible individual, with the right skills to get the job done.
One thing to keep in mind is work experience isn’t the only way to convince employers of that.
All resumes should include:
- #1. Contact Information - This is where you provide your personal and contact information, to include:
- first and last name
- phone number
- professional e-mail address
(something like: firstname.last name@gmail.com, not something that will leave a bad impression) - address
- #2. Resume Objective - In 3-4 sentences, describe your career goals and aspirations. Think of it as a short summary of why you’re applying for this specific position and why you’d be a good candidate for it.
- #3. Education - This is not just listing your high school but also includes any courses or training you have completed that support your qualifications and interest in the Youth Apprenticeship Maryland Program.
- #4. Extracurricular Activities - These include participation in high school clubs, competitive events, and volunteer work.
Even if you have a not-so-special GPA, extracurriculars can turn your resume around.
Involvement in such, especially in leadership positions like club president or team captain, shows you are sociable and active in your pursuits. - #5. Work Experience (optional) - If you don’t have any work experience, you can mention internships, apprenticeships or volunteer work instead.
- #6. Personal Strengths
(encouraging others; working as part of a team; being accurate or precise; visualizing colors, shapes, and concepts; fixing, repairing, building and using tools; keeping deadlines, etc.) - #7. Hobbies & Interests - These offer some insight into your personality and can show that you’re passionate and interested in the industry.