Nelson packs meals at Suya Joint in Nubian Square. Photo Credit: Stefanie Belnavis @thedianneproject
Apprentice Learning’s programs consistently deepen the link between school and career possibilities using hands-on learning in the workplace. An integral part of the school day, Apprenticeships drive home the connection between career and academic success for eighth grade students. This year, a $200 stipend augments the importance of successfully practicing skills and earning power.
In our five partner schools, each of our 192 apprentices in our six preparatory sessions and six workplace sessions work towards earning a full stipend for attendance, punctuality and the practice of essential skills such as communication, self-presentation and completion of their first resume. Angel notes, “The money was on my mind.” The stipend amplifies the experience to feel like a real world experience.
Tasmin 2023 Apprentice, echoes this feeling, “I practiced being work ready by doing my work and always going to school on Thursdays. I was invested in the training and development programs that focus on building workplace readiness skills. I liked the workshops that cover essential topics like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.”
What impact have stipends had on Apprenticeships?
After a dip in the Covid years, Fall 2023 attendance has improved to 87% prep sessions and to 88% in workplace-based learning compared to Spring 2023 attendance of 79% and 84% respectively. This contributes to our schools’ attendance improvement strategies.
Families are excited to learn that their child is eligible for a paid stipend. Often this is an eighth grade student’s first paid experience and an opportunity to introduce savings and budgeting.
Earning one’s first “check” is a memorable moment and fills youth with pride and a sense of competence and self-efficacy.
Funding partners from the Office for Workforce Development, the Office for Youth Engagement and Advancement, Jinny Chalmers Fund, and Someone Else’s Child Foundation have supported this effort, launching the City’s youngest workers into a rich array of summer and school year employment opportunities that will build their career interests throughout high school and beyond.
We are extraordinarily grateful for this deep investment in launching youth into the workforce. In 2023, the City made an unprecedented $18.7M investment in youth jobs, the largest in Boston’s history. Their website notes that funding supported 5,000 youth jobs with local nonprofits and 2,000 City based jobs, making the City of Boston the largest local employer for youth jobs.
“Future of Work: Implications of Supreme Court Decisions on the Talent Pipeline” October 18, 2023
“This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive.” Alice Waters
On October 18th, Apprentice Learning hosted our annual Fall Future of Work panel. This year’s topic: Implications of Supreme Court Decisions on the Talent Pipeline, inspired us to be intentional and diligent in our efforts to increase and nurture workplace diversity. Along with our panelists, we formed a collective think tank. We hoped that these conversations resonated and will continue within your spheres of influence. You can listen to the full panel or download the mp3 to listen on the go.
Moderated by American Student Assistance’s (ASA) Philanthropy Program Manager Jing Cox-Orrell, this panel discussion held on the 36th floor of GMO’s gorgeous office included Mellissa Gallagher (Engagement and Talent Acquisition Lead of GMO), Secretary Lauren Jones (Labor and Workforce Development, Commonwealth of Massachusetts), Su Joun (Principal, Diversity @ Workplace Consulting Group), Dr. Richard O’Bryant (Director, The John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute of Northeastern University) and Madeliene Rodriguez (Partner, Co-chair, Education Industry, Foley Hoag LLP). The panelists shared their insights and suggestions with regard to recruiting, nurturing, and retaining talent in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision on Affirmative Action. They fielded questions from the moderator and audience about innovative opportunities, messaging and challenges.
Some key take-aways:
There is no explicit ruling that affects DEI efforts in the workplace.
There are multiple career pathways that employers should utilize in order to recruit, retain, and nurture talent. Some of them can begin during elementary and middle school.
There are innovation pathways and early college opportunities available in high schools across the Commonwealth.
We need a combination of businesses, academia, and philanthropy in order to best prepare young people for the future.
We should redirect our energy to the workplaces that care about and are making an effort with DBEI work because there’s a lot that can be done there.
One salient story related to the necessity of Apprentice Learning was relayed by panelist Su Joun. When her husband was in eighth grade, his class was visited by a lawyer. Her husband hadn’t thought of college, let alone a career in law. This visit was a launch pad for him…He is now a judge. For Apprentice Learning, this capsulizes and makes real our deep belief that when young people can see an array of options for their future, they are better able to opt in to possibilities that augment the world.
When Secretary Jones informed us that 75% of current Boston Public School students are students of color, Dr. O’Bryant reminded us that young people need adults at every step along their pathway who can and do reaffirm their value. Melissa Gallagher noted that workplaces thrive when we have “different voices, different perspectives”. She stated that there are improved and richer conversations when more voices are in the room.
An audience member asked what advice panelists would give young people as they begin to navigate the world. Panelist Madeleine Rodriguez said, “Find the thing that makes you curious, ask endless questions. Find your genius.” Dr. O’Bryant said, “Vote and diversify your experiences.” Su Joun said, “When someone tells you you can be anything, tell them, ‘Show me.'” Another piece of advice from Su that resonated was the necessity of networking beyond your network. This is advice we can all use, I’m sure.
If you are interested in engaging with Apprentice Learning or hearing more about our opportunities, please reach out to Michele Horn. You can learn more by watching this brief Intro to Apprentice Learning.
We would like to thank Jing Cox-Orrell, Su Joun, Dr. Richard O’Bryant, Melissa Gallagher, Madeleine Rodriguez, and Secretary Lauren Jones. Additionally, we would like to express our deep appreciation to GMO (One of our worksite partners) for generously hosting our panel in their lovely office.
ACTIVATE: CITY SUMMER (ACS) By Paige Whalen, Director of Apprenticeship Programs
This summer we launched our pilot program, Activate: City Summer, where 15 rising ninth graders from Boston Public Schools embarked on an immersive paid internship. With a focus on hands-on learning, ACS honed employment skills and ignited passions. ACS was hosted in person at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, providing a dynamic setting for five weeks of growth. Workshops, worksite explorations, and engaging activities were the core of the program. Interns also completed the Signal Success curriculum, equipping them with essential career readiness.
Community building thrived through daily meetings and leadership opportunities. Interns showcased their progress through deliverables, while our “work, courage, and community ready” ethos guided their success. As ACS concluded, interns left with heightened confidence, new skills, and some with clearer career aspirations.
Highlights from each of our workplace explorations include:
A memorable journey to Allandale farm, where the head farmer shared their inspiring career journey, and interns crafted a delectable salad using the farm’s produce.
Spending an exhilarating day with pilots at Above the Clouds where interns transformed sheet metal into innovative airplanes, crafted a voice-activated light system, played a flight simulation game, and stepped inside a private jet.
Meeting with personal trainers at JET Boston, where they assisted interns in crafting impressive resumes and refining interview skills. Our interns left not only physically energized but also equipped with the tools to present themselves confidently in any professional setting.
A visit to the MBTA provided our interns with an exclusive look at the world of engineering and transportation. They toured the facilities, gaining insights into the intricate workings of public transit systems.
Creativity and teamwork were put to the test as interns crafted paper boats for an exciting race at Community Boat Building. Beyond the fun, this experience showcased the importance of innovation and collaboration in the world of non-profit work.
Our interns delved into the world of bike mechanics, learning essential skills to maintain and repair bicycles.
Interns met with skilled electricians from Eversource who demonstrated the art of replacing a transformer. This hands-on encounter provided invaluable insights into the world of electrical engineering and the vital role it plays in powering our lives.
CITY SUMMER INTERNSHIP (CSI) By Jomarys Solano, Program Specialist
As the summer sun sets on an unforgettable experience, we’re excited to share the remarkable journey of this year’s City Summer Internship program. For five weeks, our interns embarked on a captivating exploration of careers in the bustling heart of Boston. With an unwavering focus on career-readiness, they delved into various industries, collaborating seamlessly among themselves and with our esteemed worksite partners.
A standout achievement was the completion of the Blueprint Capstone Project, inspired by the timeless words of Martin Luther King. Much like his speech that emphasized the power of visualizing and acting on one’s dreams, our interns exhibited their creativity and dedication by solving real-world challenges. Guided by the Signal Success curriculum, they fine-tuned essential skills crucial for their professional growth, making strides in communication, problem-solving, and self-awareness.
But it wasn’t just about work—this summer was infused with advocacy, laughter, and unwavering support. Our interns embraced every moment, forming bonds that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. The Apprentice Learning staff had an absolute blast guiding and learning alongside these remarkable young minds, witnessing their potential unfold and blossom.
As we bid adieu to an extraordinary summer, we’re thrilled to witness the ripple effect of this experience as our interns step confidently into their future careers. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the City Summer Internship program—a true testament to the bright future of Boston’s workforce.
7th Graders from the Dearborn STEM Academy pose with worksite partner Kelsey Munger, owner of Monumental Market as they show off their cupcake frosting work.
On June 14, 2023, a historic event took place at Dearborn STEM Academy—the first-ever 7th Grade Apprentice Learning Expo. This event was a way to introduce the 7th graders to Apprentice Learning and provided students with invaluable hands-on experiences and insights into potential careers.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Annetta Dingle of “Girlfriend Hooked Me Up Hair Salon” and Tara Jones, whose expertise and guidance made the hair stylist track an enriching experience for the young apprentices. Their dedication to mentoring and teaching the students valuable skills in hairstyling is truly commendable. Similarly, we express our sincere thanks to Kelsey Munger from Monumental Market for her efforts in the bakery decoration track, allowing the students to explore the creative world of pastry design and cake decoration.
A special mention goes to Darlene Marcano, the Headmaster of Dearborn STEM Academy, for her unwavering support and commitment to providing innovative educational opportunities for students. We also express our gratitude to David Moreno, Tania Baez, and Josh Fidalgo, who played instrumental roles in coordinating and facilitating the Apprentice Learning Expo. Their dedication to the students’ growth and development is truly inspiring.
Furthermore, our sincere appreciation goes to Nos Casa Cafe for generously providing breakfast to the participants, ensuring they started the day with nourishment and energy. Their support and contribution to this event are deeply valued.
We cannot overlook the tremendous contribution of EdVestors, an organization dedicated to improving urban education, whose support made this inaugural event possible. Their commitment to fostering innovative and experiential learning opportunities for students is invaluable. We extend our heartfelt thanks to EdVestors for their belief in the transformative power of hands-on education.
As we celebrate the success of the first-ever 7th Grade Apprentice Learning Expo, we eagerly anticipate expanding this opportunity for more 7th graders in the coming years. With the invaluable lessons learned from this event, we can refine and enhance the program to reach a broader audience. By providing young students with early exposure to different career paths, we empower them to make informed decisions about their future and instill a passion for lifelong learning.
Boston, MA (June 15, 2023) – Boston-based nonprofit organization Apprentice Learning has announced that Letta Neely has been appointed its new Executive Director. Beginning July 1, 2023 Neely will lead the nonprofit dedicated to providing real world work experiences for middle-school students in Boston Public Schools.
Ms. Neely is Apprentice Learning’s current Vice President of Programs, having joined the organization in 2019, following a decade of experience working in community-based education programs within the Boston Public Schools and social justice youth-based organizations in and around Boston. She is also an acclaimed playwright, poet, and performer and has taught creative writing in community settings to both youth and adults.
“Letta’s experience and vision is perfectly in sync with Apprentice Learning’s mission and programs,” stated incoming Board President Brenda Kirouac. “We’re thrilled to welcome her into this role, knowing she is an excellent leader and champion to move the organization forward as we enter our second decade.” Darlene Marcano, Head of School at Dearborn STEM Academy, shared “Under Letta’s leadership, Apprentice Learning has afforded our students the opportunity to extend the learning that they engage in at the Dearborn by providing them real world application through their apprenticeships. We look forward to further collaboration with Apprentice Learning and congratulate Letta on her new role.”
Neely was unanimously selected by the Apprentice Learning Board of Directors after a six month hiring process. She succeeds Apprentice Learning’s Founder and Executive Director Helen Russell, who is stepping down at the end of this month after 10 years of successful leadership.
About her appointment, Neely noted “I am honored and delighted to be moving into this role at Apprentice Learning.
With Helen’s leadership and with the support of Apprentice Learning’s passionate and committed staff, we’ve built a thriving organization. I am ready to take the helm and explore new partnerships to propel us into our next chapter of growth. I believe deeply in the importance of opening doors, windows and highways; in seeding imaginations of young people so that they can be deft orchestrators of their own paths. Their futures are limitless when we expand their now. And I can’t wait to get started.”
Apprentice Learning serves over 400 middle grade students each year through school day apprenticeships and learn-to-earn career readiness internships. Through partnerships with schools and employers, they leverage career exploration to teach skills and nurture dreams for youth in the greater Boston area. Together with their partners, Apprentice Learning strives to demystify career opportunities for youth, to create a diverse talent pipeline and to encourage welcoming, equitable workplaces.
Hear from honoree Darlene Marcano, Head of School, Dearborn STEM Academy. Dearborn STEM Academy has been and will continue to be an important and valued partner of Apprentice Learning. Darlene sat down with us to talk about what the partnership with Apprentice Learning means to them.
Apprentice Learning is celebrating 10 years of providing real-world work experiences for eighth graders. At such a critical period in a young person’s life, these are the opportunities that ignite growth and change and spark passions and interests. We work alongside community members, schools and business partners who support us in exposing young people to as many careers as possible in the hope of sparking an interest in careers that have the potential to shape their own future workforce.
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are highlighting the incredible partners and champions we’ve had. Dearborn STEM Academy has been a longstanding partner of Apprentice Learning and under Darlene Marcano’s leadership, the partnership has thrived. Darlene shares her perspective on the partnership.
Tell me how you came to be connected with Apprentice Learning.
I’ve been at the Dearborn for four years. Initially I was co-principal, and, when I first started, I sat down to talk to our middle school guidance counselor about all the different partnerships that we had at the school. She highlighted Apprentice Learning as something that was really positive for our students. As a new person coming in, part of what I wanted to do was to figure out what was best for our students – what’s working, what’s not working. I met Letta Neely, head of programs at Apprentice Learning at the time, but now the incoming executive director. Letta initiated the process. She literally laid out the program from start to finish for me. I asked some questions and I wondered a lot about structure and organization like where are our kids going? You take our eighth graders out? Have you met those eighth graders? You’re taking them out of the building? She assured us that they had done this for years. And I said, okay, I have to see it happen.
That first year for me was during the 2019/2020 school year and I saw her take a set of students out of the building, and how proud those kids were. They learned a lot in the classroom. They worked on resumes, interviewing, and other skills that are called “soft skills” that are just as important as any academic skills that they could get. I saw them flourish and it was incredible. I couldn’t wait for the next iteration of kids to go through that exact same process. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit. And, as you know, the pandemic forced everyone to make some really difficult decisions fairly quickly. But Letta and the team came up with strategies of working with kids online. They did that for at least another year, but they were still able to provide kids with access, information, opportunities that weren’t necessarily things that we were doing in school. I know for me, it’s really important that kids work on those soft skills and have the opportunity to go out into their own community. A lot of kids hadn’t seen Boston before. I remember there was one student that asked, okay how do I leave Roxbury? They never had that experience before. I was moved by Letta’s passion and the results for our kids.
Do you have any stories or anecdotes to share about your partnership with Apprentice Learning?
There was a student who I would say had a challenging time in the classroom environment. They had an apprenticeship at either a garden or community farm, and I saw pictures of this student holding flowers and just smiling. The child brought the flowers into the school and gave them to the teachers. I thought to myself, this is the same kid that runs around the school? I just remember thinking that if they hadn’t had that opportunity, then we wouldn’t have been able to see that there is this other side to them because all we saw were the things that were happening in the halls and the difficulty that they were having through no fault of their own. They were just having a difficult time being in this environment for such a long time. I was astounded by it. I think Letta and the team do a great job of pulling out that information from our kids and really getting at some of their strengths and some of their areas of development. They do a great job of matching them up with businesses to really support them. Every time the students go out for their internships, we sit in the main office and we watch them walk out the door and they’ve got on their Apprentice Learning sweatshirts or t-shirts, and they’re so proud.
Do you have any recommendations for schools or school leaders who may want to partner with Apprentice Learning?
Honestly, I think the best thing to do is to always talk to other schools, and talk to students. The teachers are a major component in this because they’re very clear about the role that Apprentice Learning plays both at the school and for our kids. Talk to the families because our families are involved, too. We’ve done family nights in the past and it really does generate a lot of excitement. I think testimonials are the best. Reach out to me because I’d be happy to talk about it. I’ll say this. I don’t like wasting my time, and I don’t like wasting other people’s time. My job is to really assess whether or not a partnership is effective because I have to be the gatekeeper for the school. The fact that this partnership has been flourishing for so long shows that it is worthy of our students’ time and the community really has embraced it.
Any final thoughts?
I’ve seen so much growth in our kids, and I have always attributed that to the work that’s being done at home and to what we do at school as a community. But, I can never, ever dismiss the love and the care that Helen and all of the employees over at Apprentice Learning, especially Letta, put into our kids. Like I said, I came in not knowing what to expect. On a personal level, coming here from another school and transitioning in was difficult. It’s difficult for our kids transitioning from one grade level to the next or one school to the next. And for me, it was also difficult. Letta was a person who immediately said, “okay, let’s get you going. This is something you can be a part of. Here’s what we’re doing for the kids. Be a part of it.” I felt that she truly embraced me as well as the kids in the program.
Hear from honoree Rosalin Acosta, former Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development in Massachusetts and current Managing Director, Government and Public Sector at EY.
Apprentice Learning is celebrating 10 years of providing real-world work experiences for eighth graders. At such a critical period in a young person’s life, these are the opportunities that ignite growth and change and spark passions and interests. We work alongside community members and business partners who support us in exposing young people to as many careers as possible in the hope of sparking an interest in careers that have the potential to shape their own future workforce.
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are highlighting the incredible partners and champions we’ve had. Rosalin Acosta has championed Apprentice Learning since its founding. Former Secretary Acosta leveraged her passion to make the world a better place for the next generation to ensure that workers, employers, and the unemployed had the tools and training needed to succeed in the Massachusetts economy. In this blog, she shares why she believes in the work of Apprentice Learning.
Tell me how you came to be connected with Apprentice Learning.
I met Helen Russell, current Executive Director of Apprentice Learning, and learned about the mission. When we talked, she mentioned that the kids she worked with have lived around these big, tall, glassy towers for their entire life, but had never been inside. Apprentice Learning takes them inside these buildings and helps them learn the basics. They learn how to walk into a corporate lobby, how to register, and show ID, all these things that we take for granted. It can be very intimidating the first time you walk into these buildings. To give kids that ice breaker and say, “you too can walk into these lobbies like everybody else, you too belong here”, is very powerful. The image of young people looking out the window from the 20th, 30th, 40th floors of these buildings, looking at their neighborhood from that perspective, is a pretty phenomenal visual.
At the Office of Labor and Workforce Development, we were always trying to connect more kids with the labor market. The idea of helping as many kids as we possibly could, in particular underserved kids, in order to have a level playing field has always been something that’s driven me. I think that it has a lot to do with the way I grew up. I was an immigrant, daughter of immigrants, and my family just did not have a broad professional network I could benefit from. There was never anyone saying to me, “this is what you should do”. There’s a lot of metaphor in what Apprentice Learning does – breaking through, breaking into the lobby, taking that elevator to the top floors and seeing yourself on top of the city – that gives young people the opportunity to see themselves in spaces and in careers they may not have considered.
Reflecting on their 10 year anniversary, what comes to mind?
My response is similar to what I said in the beginning. For me, it’s the ability to imagine, the ability to see yourself and hopefully see others doing what you might want to do or what you never thought you could do. Apprentice Learning is, to me, a little bit of the preamble to what I’m very passionate about, which is actual apprenticeship programs. When there’s a tight labor force, like we are experiencing now, and there’s high demand in industries like biotech and STEM fields, to be able to give young people pathways to those high demand and high paying occupations is vital. We need mechanisms to provide more exposure to career choices. Kids should see what lab technicians do or what health care providers do, for example. That’s what Apprentice Learning is doing. They are creating the ability for kids to imagine, and opening a lens to a world that they may never have had an opportunity to see.
Do you have any final thoughts on Apprentice Learning?
I think it’s important to point out the diversity of the kids that Apprentice Learning serves. Making sure that Black and Latino kids can see themselves in biotech, cybersecurity, finance or banking careers, which are not as diverse as the communities they serve. Creating this exposure to these important industries will begin to lay the ground for an equitable and prosperous workforce. To me, that is the important work that Apprentice Learning is doing and that we all have to keep doing.
Hear from honoree Eva Herndon, one of the first financial supporters of Apprentice Learning, on why she and her husband Terry Ogden Herndon chose to support and invest in our mission.
Apprentice Learning is celebrating 10 years of providing real-world work experiences for eighth graders. At such a critical period in a young person’s life, these are the opportunities that ignite growth and change and spark passions and interests. We work alongside community members and business partners who support us in exposing young people to as many careers as possible in the hope of sparking an interest in careers that have the potential to shape their own future workforce.
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are highlighting the incredible partners and champions we’ve had. Eva and Terry Herndon have supported Apprentice Learning since its founding. In August 2022, Terry passed away leaving behind an incredible legacy of service including an unwavering commitment to Apprentice Learning. Eva shares wonderful memories with us and discusses why they chose to donate to Apprentice Learning over the last 10 years.
Tell me how you came to be connected with Apprentice Learning.
I met Helen Russell, current Executive Director of Apprentice Learning, at the Mission Hill K-8 School. Terry and I volunteered and invested in their work study program. We wanted to give back, help others, so we connected with Mission Hill K-8 School because of their partnership with Brigham and Women’s hospital. It wasn’t called Apprentice Learning at the time. It was called the School to Community Initiative, but they had decided to discontinue it. We kept in touch with Helen who would check in with us periodically. Helen approached us in 2012 about an idea she had to bring work study type programs for middle schoolers to more schools in Boston. We loved the idea and we made the first donation to Apprentice Learning in 2012.
Reflecting on their 10 year anniversary, what comes to mind?
Terry and I had the opportunity to join during an apprenticeship at WGBH. I was impressed by how elegant all their offices and equipment were. I remember we went to a big room and we were all looking at the different machinery and the different tools that they used to broadcast their shows. I remember we were in the radio studio and we saw the Jim and Margery show. They weren’t quite on air yet. Terry was pitching them to talk about Apprentice Learning.
Then the kids had an opportunity to go into one of the nearby radio studios and listen to their voice reading a piece of news they made up. The young people recorded it, and then the other apprentices had to give the kids feedback on how it sounded. Then the kids also got to use the television cameras. Thatwas a nice experience.
For us, it’s been a good collaboration. It’s been fun to see it grow and keep growing. It would be nice if the Boston Public Schools offered it for all 8th graders. That would be a wonderful thing.
When you think about why apprentice learning versus the many other things you could have funded, what about the program really made you a believer?
We believed in work study from our school days at Antioch College. Terry grew up working while he was in school and just believed that it was a good idea to study and work. He thought maybe it would help kids get real experience that would help them get real jobs after graduating. He enjoyed helping people. That was one of his great gifts. He helped people in so many different ways and not just with money.
He was an avid car enthusiast and people still remember him fixing their cars. He was involved in the politics of Carlisle, MA. Terry served on Carlisle’s Planning Board, Board of Assessors and Board of Appeals, so he served the town a lot. He was always interested in helping out. And it’s a satisfying thing to think that you maybe have made a difference. And he liked that. And it helped him have a good life.
Brainely, Rafael Hernández School helps put away treats at her apprenticeship with Polkadog Bakery
Hear from honoree and long time worksite partner Rob Van Sickle, owner and founder of Polkadog Bakery
Apprentice Learning is celebrating 10 years of providing real-world work experiences for eighth graders. At such a critical period in a young person’s life, these are the opportunities that ignite growth and change and spark passions and interests. We work alongside business partners who support us in exposing young people to as many careers as possible in the hope of sparking an interest in careers that have the potential to shape their own future workforce.
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are highlighting the incredible partners we’ve had. Polkadog Bakery in Jamaica Plain was one of our first worksite partners and, over the years, hosted 17 Apprentices! We talked with Robert Van Sickle, founder and owner of Polkadog Bakery, and learned more about his experience hosting Apprentices. Photo (left): Rob poses with his dog Velcro
Tell me about Polkadog Bakery and your connection to Apprentice Learning?
We started our business in 2002 in the South End of Boston. We moved to Jamaica Plain and opened a store there too. We were connected to Apprentice Learning through Helen Russell. Helen approached us ten years ago or so, right at the beginning of Apprentice Learning, and wanted to know if we would be interested in hosting some students, showing them the ropes of a business, what it looks like to run a retail store, helping customers, stocking shelves and just the day-to-day of an employee of a retail business. For me, I was just coming into parenthood, thinking about the value of my experience as a younger person in the world and being able to have a place that would be willing to not only take me in but also teach me some of the skills that were necessary. So, it was like a no brainer. It made sense for us to jump in with both feet.
The Polkadog Bakery JP location proudly displays their AL worksite partner sticker. Photo by Stefanie Belnavis of The Diahann Project (@thediahannproject)
Describe your experience with Apprentice Learning reflecting on their 10 year anniversary.
I would be telling a lie if I said I wasn’t nervous about how it was going to go. Because to be totally honest, a lot of the people that work for us are young, just out of college. Some are even in college. So you’re asking a person that hasn’t maybe even figured out what they want to do with their life to bring these kids along, right? I was nervous about asking our staff to not only do their daily chores, keep the store running and provide customer service, but also have these other folks in their charge. I think that was an important growing process for all the managers who worked with us over the 10 years that we’ve been doing this.
I would say some managers have been better at it than others, and that’s just the nature of how it goes. Then, recently, we had a store manager, Kevin, who was very important in developing our internal program. Apprentice Learning has a great program, and they bring the Apprentices to us, but Kevin has taken that internal role and owned it in terms of developing almost like a curriculum for the things that we want to impart. That it’s not just stocking shelves and doing busy work. That there are other skills involved in operating a retail store, and I think a lot of people go through life and probably don’t really imagine what those skills are. But, primarily for us, it’s people skills. That is a really important life skill that we teach at the store because it’s fundamental to everything that we do. Yes, stocking the shelves is important, and, yes, keeping the store clean is important, but the interpersonal relationships – the connections that we make with our customers and with each other as staff members – that’s hard to quantify. It’s probably our most important skill that we try to impart on people, both employees and Apprentice Learning students when they come through the door.
Do you have any recommendations for other business owners or leaders who may want to partner with Apprentice Learning?
I think I would say that it’s natural to be worried about the value because you might think I’m going to have to work more. My staff is going to get asked to do even more. I think that’s a natural feeling, right? I think a lot of people are like, “Oh, boy” especially for people who are running their own business. So, my advice is don’t be afraid and steer into the program. Really make it what you need it to be as a business owner, and that will then help the people that are there tenfold. We went into it like if we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it. I think that was really where we started to see the program become something valuable for all.
Make an immediate impact on the lives of Boston’s youth by supporting apprenticeships today. Your generosity empowers young minds and creates opportunities that will resonate for a lifetime.
