Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship National Launch Event

Youth apprenticeship is a promising strategy for challenging persistent inequities in the educational and employment outcomes of youth, while simultaneously addressing the critical talent needs of industry. Led by New America and national partners, the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship is a multi-year, collaborative initiative designed to support the growth and success of emerging and existing youth apprenticeship partnerships in cities and states across the U.S. Please join us to launch this new national effort and learn more from apprentices, industry leaders, educators and state and local policymakers about the potential of youth apprenticeship programs to serve the needs of students, employers and communities.

The following organizations serve as New America’s National Partners in the The Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship:

AGENDA

9:00-9:30 AM
Welcome and About the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship
Opening remarks about the vision and priorities for the Partnership and information on how the Partnership can help increase understanding of and scale growth in the youth apprenticeship space over the next few years.

• Cecilia Muñoz, Vice President, Public Interest Technology and Local Initiatives, New America
• Brent Parton, Deputy Director, Center on Education and Skills, New America
• Marquel Rolack-Smalls, Clemson University, Former Youth Apprentice, Venture Aerobearings, LLC

9:30-10:15 AM
A Youth Apprenticeship Partnership in Action: The Charleston Story
High-quality youth apprenticeships depend on relationships between the public and private sector including leaders from industry and business, education institutions and communities. Pioneers from Charleston, South Carolina will share how these partnerships are created, thrive and serve the needs of a local community.

• Catharine Almquist, Vice President, Academic Affairs, Trident Technical College
• Dr. Gerrita Postlewaite, Superintendent, Charleston County School District
• Shea Sinclair, Vice President, Development, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
• Moderated by James Fallows, Author, Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America
  

10:30-11:15 AM
A New Talent Strategy: Exploring the Value to Employers
Employers and industry leaders share why connecting with youth through apprenticeship is a uniquely valuable talent solution to meet current and future workforce needs.

• Chris Harrington, Director of Operations and General Manger, Elastic Therapy Inc.
• Lynn Strickland, Executive Director, Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee
• Chris Terrill, CEO, HomeAdvisor
• Moderated by Mona Mourshed, Partner, McKinsey and Company

Coffee and Refreshment break

11:15-11:45 AM
A New Learning Pathway: The Apprentice Experience
Youth apprentices participating in programs across a variety of career pathways share their experience, and how apprenticeship serves their current and future goals.

• Judah Bolz-Weber, East High School, HomeAdvisor, Inc.
• Sheniah Everson, Burke High School, Roper St. Francis Hospital
• Valerie Gallegos, Westminster High School, GeoTech Environmental Equipment, Inc.
• Hali Witcraft, Cane Bay High School, Cummins Turbo Technologies
• Moderated by Elena Silva, Director, PreK-12 Education Policy, New America
  

11:45-12:30 PM
What's Next? Advancing Youth Apprenticeship's Future
Discussion with a cross-sector panel of national experts and leaders on what it will take for youth apprenticeship to expand and realize its potential to deliver equitable outcomes for youth and serve more employers.

• Noel Ginsburg, CEO Intertech Plastics and CareerWise Colorado
• Rebecca Hanson, Executive Director, SEIU-UHW Joint Employer Education Fund
• Stephanie Amponsah, Executive Director, Urban Alliance - Baltimore
• Dr. Elizabeth Standafer, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator, ApprenticeshipNC, North Carolina Community College System
• Moderated by Mary Alice McCarthy, Director, Center on Education and Skills at New America
  

12:30-1:15 PM
Closing Keynote Session: Remarks and Conversation with Leaders in States and Cities
Remarks on the potential of youth apprenticeship to address the inclusive economic development needs of states and regions.

• Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Los Angeles City
• Secretary Kelly M. Schulz, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
• Moderated by Portia Wu, Managing Director of U.S. Public Policy, Microsoft
  

Networking lunch and refreshments.

Thank you to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Ballmer Group, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Joyce Foundation, JP Morgan Chase & Co. and the Siemens Foundation for their generous support of the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship.