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In honor of Youth Apprenticeship Week, learn more about CAIC’s partners at the Maryland Apprenticeship Connector (MAC).
Are you a Maryland farmer or value-added producer looking for additional hired help on your farm? Whether you’re in search of someone to work the register at farmers markets, someone to support the adoption of new agricultural technology, someone to help increase your customer base, or someone to work on modernizing and strengthening your bookkeeping system, you might be able to find what you need by hiring a youth apprentice.
What exactly are apprentices, and how can CAIC help connect you to one? Read on to learn more.
What are apprenticeships, and how are they different from traditional employment?
An apprenticeship is a structured training program that combines on-the-job learning with classroom instruction. It’s designed to grow the workforce by giving young people hands-on experience and specific skills in a particular trade or profession. Apprentices work for a set period of time under the guidance of experienced professionals, and learn both practical techniques and workplace best practices. Along with earning a wage, they also gain the skills necessary for their career path. For young people, apprenticeships offer a valuable pathway to employment, allowing them to acquire industry-recognized qualifications and develop the abilities needed to succeed in their chosen field. For employers, they provide access to a pipeline of talented, work-ready employees.
Do apprenticeships work well for employers?
Yes! Research from the Department of Labor shows that for every $1 invested in an apprenticeship program, organizations realize an average return of $1.47. This makes apprenticeships a far safer and more cost-effective source of talent acquisition than traditional hiring. The same study also found that 91% reported that their pipeline of skilled workers had increased, while 87% reported improved employee productivity. What’s more, 81% of companies reported that their turnover had decreased, and 78% found that there had been an increase in innovation.
What’s the Maryland Apprenticeship Connector (MAC)?
MAC is a non-profit organization, funded by the Maryland Department of Education, that matches Maryland employers looking for talented workers with work-ready apprentices. Their team of workforce innovators includes experts in leadership, team development, business planning, and technology. Together, they collaborate with Maryland companies to create short- and long-term apprenticeship solutions to meet their workforce needs. MAC also provides support with training, onboarding, and other key areas free of charge.
We want to hear from you!
In the coming months, MAC and CAIC will be working together to identify potential roles for youth apprentices at Maryland farms. As part of that, we’re interested in learning more about the hiring needs of Maryland farmers and producers—so we want to hear from you! Please take the time to share your thoughts by filling out this brief survey. We can also help put you in touch directly with someone from MAC.
