Secretary Kelly Schulz discussed the success of the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation’s Apprenticeship Maryland program at an event in Hagerstown.

Apprenticeship Maryland is currently being piloted in public schools in Washington and Frederick counties as a means of exposing children to skilled trades. Schulz shared the possibility of expanding the program statewide and to new industries.

The Herald-Mail reports:

The two-year pilots will conclude with the end of this school year, and state officials will have to determine what to do going forward, she said.

Traditionally, apprenticeships have been linked to skilled trades, such as the courses offered through the Barr Construction Institute at the Associated Builders and Contractors Cumberland Valley Chapter in Hagerstown, she said.

“Why would we not pick up where we left off with the building trades and bring that to our other industries?” she asked.

The article continues with Schulz explaining that while schools have focused on preparing kids for college they have lacked on the career readiness piece that Apprenticeship Maryland seeks to improve. Tweaks to the program have already allowed for more help to the schools and employers. The Secretary notes that while the pilots are still being evaluated, it is already evident that flexibility will be key should the program be expanded statewide.