CENTREVILLE- Supporting opportunities for youth on-the-job training and experiences, especially in technology and trade industries, officials with the career and workforce development initiative presented progress over the past school year to the Board of Education June 5.
A grant through the Upper Shore Regional Council provided resources and established a career coach and career center at each of the two high schools to ensure career readiness, according to Connie Dean, QAC Economic and Tourism Development Workforce Development Administrator.
“This two year grant is a direct outcome of the strong partnership between Queen Anne’s County Public School system and Queen Anne’s County Economic Development,” she said.
The overall goals of the workforce development initiative is to increase the number of students participating in career and technical education programs at the secondary and post secondary levels, as well as strengthen the related work-based learning programs through awareness and exploration, according to Dean.
In just the first year alone, services through the career center and career coaches have reached more than one thousand students each at the middle school and high schools levels, Dean said.
Coaches focus on career development interactions with students and establish a direct line of communication with local businesses, bridging opportunities for involvement, she said.
According to career coaches Karen Hesson, and Betsy Ricketts, accomplishments and events during the 2023-2024 school year have included multiple career fairs, mock interviews across the middle and high school levels.
Internships and apprenticeships and field trips have presented students hands-on involvement and a first-hand account of businesses.
Understanding the crucial need a vehicle can be for career readiness, a learners permit testing event saw a 100 percent success rate with nearly 200 students participating.
QACPS also participated in its first Junior Achievement Leadership Academy.
“The partnership between QACPS and the county economic tourism development is vital to the success of the Career and Workforce Development initiative. This grant program was initiated by these two organizations to provide a positive impact on QAC workforce and career development for students to benefit the community and economy,” Dean said.
The career development initiative has seen enormous success with its career technical trade programs with enrollment doubling in the last year, according to Adam Tolley, supervisor of curriculum and instruction.
The excitement through the students, staff, career coaches and businesses throughout the entire initiative has been contagious, Dean said.
“We have had an amazing year and we are looking forward to making next year even more amazing for our students,” Tolley said.
More information about QACPS youth career development can be found at https://choosequeenannes.com/Youth-Career-Development.
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