Progress & Industry: BVSD begins offering paid apprenticeships to students

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Staff report
Four high school students at Brandon Valley are currently earning a paycheck by working part-time, yet continuing to learn full-time and earn credits toward their diplomas.
The unique learning experience is being made possible as the district delves into paid apprenticeships, much different from BVHS’s former internship program. Paid apprenticeships, BV Superintendent Dr. Jarod Larson explained, is a three-hour time commitment of the student’s school day, while the previous internship program had students spending only an hour of their day at a Brandon business.
“One hour was not enough time,” Larson said. “It was more of a burden than a benefit to the business.”
Under the paid apprenticeship plan, the goal is to provide Brandon Valley High School students with authentic learning experiences, Larson said. And one of the key components of the district’s strategic plan is to promote student college and career readiness through the development of paid apprenticeship opportunities.
Earlier this month, Larson and BVHS principal Mark Schlekeway attended a conference on paid apprenticeship programs. Upon their return, Larson said they learned the district “is going down the right path.”
Administrators now want to expand the program beyond the four apprenticeships that are currently in place. And to be able to do that, the school district is working in partnership with the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce to coordinate an event where Chamber members can learn more about how a paid apprentice can positively affect their business – and bottom line.
Larson said engaging businesses with paid apprenticeships also serves as an avenue to strengthen community partnerships, all while helping BV students acquire and refine key workplace readiness skills.
The work-based learning experiences helps students make informed decisions about their post-high school career. One example, Larson said, is the BVHS senior the district working as an education assistant at a BV elementary school. The student intends to pursue an elementary education degree following high school. 
The BVACC recently added a new committee to its lineup, the Career Discovery Committee, which will work hand in hand with the district on the apprenticeship program. This committee is being headed up by Daemon Coughlin.
Adam Rothenberger, who teaches business/marketing/economics/personal finance at BVHS, is in charge of the paid apprenticeship program. 

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