Employee's Stories Archives - The Children's Guild

Businesses Benefit From Apprenticeship Programs, Too

by | Nov 16, 2022 | Employee's Stories, News, Success Stories

Instead of focusing on how apprenticeships change lives and help people find themselves, how about what they can do for those companies and organizations that take them on? Today, many employers in tech, healthcare, and other industries are building their workforce with the help of apprenticeship programs.

APPRENTICESHIPS ARE NOT JUST FOR THE TRADES, ANYMORE

Proven in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and other trades historically, apprenticeships are now working for hospitals, cyber companies, IT and networking firms, manufacturing, finance, and more. All have complex workforce challenges and must keep up with the demands of rapid advancements, and apprenticeship is a best practice for recruiting, training, and retaining skills and talent.

Transportation, health care, hospitality, and food sectors have had the highest numbers of job openings in 2022. Every state feels the impacts of worker shortages. Hiring apprentices have become a practical solution for many organizations’ needs.

BEYOND THE WIN-WIN – THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Apprenticeships are a proven recruitment strategy for home-grown talent in a tight labor market and are usually good news stories for companies.

But apprentices also attract others with their success, paying success forward by hiring other apprentices as they climb the ladder. In September, the Biden-Harris Administration launched the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative, formalizing this ripple effect through a national network of more than 200 employers and industry organizations, labor organizations, educators, workforce intermediaries, and community-based organizations committed to strengthening and diversifying apprenticeship.

SHAYNA ESTRELLA IS PAYING IT FORWARD

With a Master’s in Forensic Science and High Technology Crime, Shayna wanted a career in tech. But she found that the IT industry looks for industry-recognized certifications, most of which are expensive and time-consuming. Shayna had a family to support. By working and learning through pre-apprenticeship training and two other apprenticeship programs, Shayna now runs the IT and computer labs and works with students at St. Francis Neighborhood Center, a nonprofit group in Baltimore. Her community feels the ripple, as Shayna identifies other talents, reaches back, and helps bring others along on their own career journeys.

“Shayna’s like a one-woman recruitment ad for us,” says Torbin Green, Executive Director of the St. Francis Neighborhood Center. “Finding and retaining people in the local community is the best road for us to grow.”

THANKS TO ORGANIZATIONS LIKE TRANZED APPRENTICESHIPS

The Children’s Guild’s TranZed Apprenticeships is a nonprofit registered provider that sponsors and manages apprenticeship programs in several occupations across the country, such as IT, cyber security, healthcare, and education. Registered with the US Department of Labor, programs are all approved for curriculum, rigor, and quality.

Working with other current and former apprentices has fostered a real sense of community among the St. Francis team. Upper management and more tenured team members are eager to help and support new apprentices because they have been in their shoes themselves.

EMPLOYER AND APPRENTICE SUPPORT

Through TranZed, The Children’s Guild works with employers to understand their hiring needs and recruit candidates who meet their skills and company culture. Apprentice candidates are driven, eager to learn, and ready to work. TranZed experts are always available to help employers, associations, and employees when needed, and help employers build, register, and sponsor programs. TranZed also manages record-keeping, progress tracking, and compliance management, taking that load off employers.

The program helped Shayna big time. In partnership with Baltimore Cyber Range, TranZed Apprenticeships prepped and covered the expenses of both the CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications for her, opening industry doors and many new opportunities.

AN IMPORTANT NEW ADDITION TO THE MODERN WORKFORCE

“Apprenticeships are a crucial component to closing the skills gap and are rapidly becoming key additions to the modern workforce,” says Erin Finnegan-Smith, Managing Director of Workforce Development for The Children’s Guild.

Since its launch in 2016, TranZed has expanded its offerings from IT and Cyber to Education and Healthcare. TranZed has placed and supported the placement of an increasing number of apprentices across the country by managing and consulting with other employers, associations and organizations looking to sponsor programs.

“Tried and tested for decades, the apprenticeship model works, and non-traditional companies are opening their eyes to upscaling and building their workforce today rather than buying it,” says Finnegan-Smith.

NOVEMBER 14 BEGINS NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

The Children’s Guild and TranZed Apprenticeships are celebrating the Eighth Annual National Apprenticeship Week from November 14-20, 2022. During this nationwide celebration, industry, labor, equity, workforce, education, and government leaders host events to showcase the successes and value of apprenticeship in rebuilding the economy, advancing racial and gender equity, and supporting underserved communities.

Apprenticeship is a proven, industry-driven training model, providing a vital pipeline of talent that can help to address some of America’s pressing workforce challenges such as rebuilding our country’s infrastructure, addressing critical supply chain demands, supporting a clean energy workforce, modernizing our cybersecurity response, and responding to care economy issues.

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPS AND HOW THEY WORK

An official website of the US Government, ApprenticeshipUSA is an industry-driven career pathway where employers develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a nationally-recognized credential. Another is American Job Centers, where people can search for jobs, find training, and answer other employment-related questions.

Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 15% through 2029, faster than all other occupations. Find out how TranZed can help with CNA pre-apprenticeship and Patient Care Technician programs >

Want to learn more? [email protected]

Justin Geno Williams – Teacher, Digital Media

by | Nov 8, 2019 | Employee's Stories

Justin started at The Children’s Guild Alliance in 2017 school year as a Therapeutic Behavioral Aide and is currently a teacher of digital media to The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore. He has also served as a resource teacher and physical education teacher.

The best part about working at The Children’s Guild Alliance is being able to witness daily real life superheroes in action.  I eagerly come to work, and it’s without fail that I leave inspired by the diverse groups of people coming together for the same mission of educating our are youth.  Personally, I love working at a place where the power is in the present, and not the past or future.  We pride ourselves on not letting the negativity of one day leak into the next.  It’s important that the kids know that they aren’t being judged on all their past discretions but instead given a chance to learn and contribute on that day alone.  I can honestly say that the majority of my professional growth has come from this concept.  I’m excited to stay with The Guild because I know that whatever my future passions will be, there will be a position that The Guild will not only put me in, but help me thrive in.  The potential for upward mobility in such a diverse organization is exactly why I’ll be here for the long hall.

Beletiah Wheagar – Treatment Foster Care and Family Life Educator

by | Nov 8, 2019 | Employee's Stories

Beletiah started working with The Children’s Guild Alliance in May 2018 as a Treatment Foster Care/ Family Life Educator intern and was hired as a Family Life Educator in December 2018 following her internship.

The child-centered and person-centered mindset set is what I truly enjoy about working for The Children’s Guild Alliance. The Guild does not only encourage growth for youth through meeting them where they currently are; but encourages professional growth for all their employees through CEU opportunities and trainings on the human brain, providing further insight on brain development. As well as the professional development opportunities, I have also met amazing individuals while working with The Guild, who have been welcoming and always willing to lend a hand.  

Lauren Sibiski – Outpatient Mental Health Clinician

by | Nov 8, 2019 | Employee's Stories

Lauren started work at the Children’s Guild Alliance in 2018 as a school-based Outpatient Mental Health Clinician. She also works once a week at Staffa House, one of our therapeutic group homes, to provide group therapy to the students who reside there. 

There are many reasons why I love working for the Children’s Guild. I love the balance of supervision and autonomy while providing mental health services in the school setting. Supervisors are always available to help, but also allow you to find the modalities of treatment and interventions that work best for you and your clients. I also love the level of care and support that I am able to give to my clients by having an office in their school. I have also been afforded opportunities to provide therapeutic services in other settings such as the group homes, allowing me to continue to grow professionally. Finally, I feel that The Guild has created a culture where employees are genuinely cared about and cared for, which as a new clinician is something that was important to me. 

We are encouraged to share our opinions, to practice self-care, to continue our education in our field, and we are provided quality support from supervisor. In my time with The Guild, I have found my confidence as a school-based clinician.  

Tiffany Scott – Outpatient Mental Health Clinician

by | Nov 8, 2019 | Employee's Stories

Tiffany started at The Children’s Guild Alliance in August 2018 as an Outpatient Mental Health Clinician and currently is placed in an elementary school in Baltimore County through the Guild’s School-based Mental Health program   

I’ve always wanted to work in a school, and there’s never a dull moment at work which makes the job interesting. Children are in school for almost half of their day, so I’m glad I can be another support person in their lives outside of family and regular school staff. Professionally, I’ve seen a change in the way I build relationships with other professionals in- and outside of my field. This job has challenged me to leave my comfort zone, which has helped me and the children I serve. My drive to continue working with this organization is the huge support I get from supervisors and staff. My supervisor and co-workers are a huge part of my growth and are the best motivating team ever. I love this job.

Raelene Meneses – Compliance and Credentialing Coordinator

by | Nov 8, 2019 | Employee's Stories

Raelene started at The Children’s Guild Alliance in 2017 as a Speech and Language Pathologist/Internal Related Services Compliance Coordinator and has recently been promoted to Compliance and Credentialing Coordinator.

I enjoy the passion that my colleagues have for the children.  I specifically love working with my related services team to provide the best therapy to help our children live a successful life in school and in their social environments.  I am fairly new to this organization and system, but not new to the profession.  Working with new people has given me the opportunity to step back to learn and lead a new group of enthusiastic new professionals.  I stay for the kids and because of the strong relationships I’ve created with my co-workers.