CCPS Marks National Apprenticeship Week with Student Recognition and Business Panel

On Tuesday, November 19, Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) celebrated National Apprenticeship Week by recognizing student apprentices and hosting a dynamic panel discussion aimed at engaging prospective business partners held at the Career and Technology Academy. The event provided an overview of the CCPS Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) and underscored the importance of apprenticeships in preparing students for future careers while addressing the workforce needs of a diverse range of industries.

During the event, six outstanding students were honored during the event for their excellence in their 2024-25 AMP apprenticeships:

• Olivia Bernhardy – Bulrushes/Caney Creek Catering
• Caden Fridman – Fixed Right & Guaranteed LLC
• Zane Johnson – Washburn's Boat Yard
• Lucas Mayhew – JetTech Solutions
• Soleil Rivera-Reyes – Calvert Well Pet Clinic
• Jacee Toder – Bulrushes/Caney Creek Catering

CCPS Board of Education member Lisa Grenis attended the event and emphasized the mutual benefits of the program. “Working in partnership with our local business community is advantageous to both students and businesses. Students are given the opportunity to be mentored by professionals, while businesses are provided the opportunity to train and hire future employees,” shared Grenis.

The panel discussion featured testimonials from both students and business sponsors. Employers shared how apprenticeships bring fresh perspectives and energy to their organizations. Roy White of Fixed Right & Guaranteed HVAC in Owings praised the program, saying, “I like that I can train an apprentice to work how my company does things and learn good habits from the start.”

White is one of the district’s original apprenticeship sponsors, coming on board from the time the program debuted in 2021-22. Fixed Right & Guaranteed has sponsored four CCPS youth apprentices and several of the apprentices have remained on the staff and continue to excel. White encourages other local businesses, even smaller businesses, to explore how apprenticeships can help meet their job-opening needs.

The panel acknowledged that some businesses may be reluctant to sign on to apprenticeship in fear of the unknown or a difficult process. However, AMP program coordinator Michelle McGuffin reinforced that the beauty of the program is that there is a system of support in place, both through CCPS as well as in working the Maryland Department of Labor.

“You and the student are never alone in this journey,” stated McGuffin. “I am here to help and support both the student and the business to ensure successful outcomes for all involved.”

McGuffin has been instrumental in building the program from its inception. The program began with just two apprenticeships in 2021-22 to now having over two dozen registered apprenticeship businesses on board.

“We have nothing but great things to say about each interaction we have had with the CCPS team, the students, and our overall experience. We have truly enjoyed and appreciate this important partnership,” added White.

In addition to being beneficial to businesses, apprenticeships also have great benefits in learning for students. During the panel discussion, student apprentices shared their enthusiasm for learning, with many noting how the program has inspired them to develop new skills, embrace professional responsibilities, and embark on paths they had not previously envisioned as being possible while still in high school.

Students remarked at how much they are learning through their apprenticeships. Jacee Toder, who is completing a pastry-chef apprenticeship at Bulrushes Café in Prince Frederick shared, “I learned from everyone [at Bulrushes] that success isn't based on big steps, but on all the small steps you achieve along the way."

Soleil Rivera-Reyes, who is completing a veterinary tech apprenticeship at the Calvert Well-Pet clinic added, “I'm excited to get up in the morning and go to work! I like that I am learning something new and can see that I get better at it every time I do it."

Even parents who attended the event are excited about the program and encouraged other parents to discuss apprenticeship and its benefits with their children. A parent of one student reflected during the event, “This program has helped [my child] do things they didn’t know they could do, giving them a sense of purpose.”

Overall, the event highlighted the many possibilities for shared success through apprenticeship. The event encouraged all businesses, especially those facing challenges in recruiting skilled workers, to look at apprenticeships as a strategic way to develop a pipeline of future talent.

“As you can see by the wide variety of current apprenticeships [in CCPS], it is clear that apprenticeships are no longer confined to traditional trades and they also are not solely a part of the CTE programs that are at the Career and Technology Academy,” shared Carrie Akins, who oversees Career and Technical Education (CTE) for CCPS.

“Our youth apprenticeship program is eager to explore partnerships in any industry, especially those that may not have historically considered apprenticeship as a pipeline for talent. We want any local business who has faced an inability to find “the right talent” to give us a call so we can discuss how apprenticeships may be the solution,” emphasized Akins.

Calvert County Public Schools invites parents, students, and businesses to explore how apprenticeships can benefit them. Interested individuals can contact:

Michelle McGuffin
Work-Based Learning Coordinator
Call: 443-550-9957
Email: mcguffinm@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Visit: cta.calvertnet.k12.md.us/amp