Brighter futures on the horizon for Pre-Apprenticeship Program graduates

VERO BEACH — On May 16, Youth Guidance held an inspiring graduation ceremony at the Community Church of Vero Beach to honor 16 local teenagers and young adults who completed its eight-month Pre-Apprenticeship Program.The keynote speaker was School District of Indian River County Superintendent Dr. David Moore, who commended the graduates for their dedication and encouraged them to keep pursuing their goals and education. “As you go into the world of work, based on what you have accomplished here, don’t settle,” Moore said. “Always strive to do more, always look for other opportunities to continue to enhance your skills and provide for your family.”Pre-Apprenticeship graduates received a certificate from the Florida State Department of Education for completing 144 hours of hands-on learning in HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, electrical and welding, as well as classroom instruction using the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Core curriculum. NCCER is an internationally recognized curriculum approved by the Florida State Board of Education and utilized by local colleges and universities.  

Twice as many Pre-Apprenticeship students received their state completion certificate compared to last year. The class average on NCCER testing increased by nearly 15%. Pre-Apprenticeship students also received their Forklift Operator’s Permit, OSHA-10 Certification and First Aid and CPR Certifications.

“We are tremendously proud of the accomplishments of our graduates this year,” said Phil Barnes, Youth Guidance executive director. “They committed themselves to the eight-month Pre-apprenticeship Program and now their journey really begins. We are already working with our local employers and trade schools to help them find employment or pursue postsecondary education.”

The Pre-Apprenticeship Program is the first in Indian River County, providing youth ages 17-24 with industry certifications, career counseling and training to develop their interest in the trade sector and obtain the skills needed for a well-paying career.

Since launching the program in 2021, Youth Guidance has helped 48 local teenagers and young adults earn industry certifications. Furthermore, 80% of past graduates obtained employment in the trades after the program or enrolled in postsecondary education.

The program is free to teenagers and young adults, thanks to the generosity of the local community. This year, the program was made possible by the support of the Blair Family Foundation, Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Mary Lewisy and Richard Schlitt.

Youth Guidance partnered with Vero Beach High School, Treasure Coast Technical College, Florida Heart CPR, Sunrise Rotary, and Florida Training Services to facilitate the Pre-Apprenticeship this year.

Youth Guidance recently opened enrollment for the upcoming Pre-Apprenticeship class starting in September at Vero Beach High School. Interested students can call 772-492-3933 or visit www.youthguidanceprogram.org to learn more and apply.