Junior Apprenticeship Program

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

In the next five years, Leon County and its surrounding region will have over 26,000 new job openings that will require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree. These skilled careers maintain the local economy, build marketable skills for the County’s workforce, and provide essential services that are needed in the community. However, many jobs in the skilled workforce will go unfilled due to a lack of training and interest. To help fill the anticipated gap in our local skilled workforce, Leon County launched its Junior Apprenticeship Program in 2017, which provides opportunities for students to shadow and train with Leon County staff and gain hands-on experience in the workplace. Building upon the NACo Award-winning Leon Works initiative, the Junior Apprenticeship complements academic programs provided by local colleges and technical centers in skilled career fields such as automotive services, building maintenance and construction, computer technology, graphic design, public safety, and more. Since the program’s inception, Leon County has employed three full classes of Junior Apprentices and continues working to expand the scope and range of the program throughout the community.