Alleghany Highlands Public Schools

The school division shared its plans with representatives from businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Highlands during a recent information session at Clifton Academy. During the session, representatives from Mountain Gateway Community College, Virginia Works, and Roanoke County Public Schools outlined the benefits of businesses working in partnership with AHPS to create apprenticeship opportunities.

“Hopefully, we can learn from some existing programs in Virginia, and model it here in the Alleghany Highlands, as well,” said Seth Bradley, work-based learning coordinator for AHPS.

“We want to get our students out in the workplace. We are trying to get them out into the real world so they will have the training and experience they need to enter the job market after they graduate,” he said.

Through the apprenticeship model, students learn skills at a job site while they earn an hourly wage. The pay aspect helps make the experience appealing to high school students thinking about their goals for future work. High school students typically start as apprentices during their junior or senior year.

“You are creating a structured training program,” said Kara Joyce of Virginia Works, outlining the benefits of apprenticeships to employers.

Joyce is a registered apprenticeship consultant with Virginia Works' Blue Ridge Region office in Roanoke. Virginia Works is part of the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.

“Everyone who comes through an apprenticeship is trained in the same way. These apprenticeships are also adaptable to reflect what the business needs. You are creating a pipeline for future employees,” she said.

Students can continue their apprenticeships at Mountain Gateway Community College and receive a nationally recognized credential, said David Shofstahl, workforce solutions, and community education apprentice coordinator at Mountain Gateway.

AHPS would closely model any future apprenticeship program with one that has existed in Roanoke County Public Schools since 2017. The Roanoke County program started with five students and it expects to have 30 to 40 in the coming school year, with apprenticeships available with 18 businesses.

“Everything is employer-driven and it’s a strictly volunteer program from a business perspective,” said Jason Suhr, career and technical education director for Roanoke County Public Schools.

One of the main focuses of Roanoke County schools’ apprenticeship program when it started seven years ago was to assist the Western Virginia Water Authority with its

training needs. The program has been highly successful in supporting workforce needs.

Data from the state shows that apprenticeship programs benefit employers and the community directly. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office on Apprenticeship, the average starting salary for a person who completes an apprenticeship program is $80,000. Furthermore, approximately 90 percent of individuals retain their employment after they complete an apprenticeship.

“A lot of the jobs you apprentice for pay very well, and for every dollar an employee spends on an apprenticeship, they receive a $1.40 return on their investment,” Joyce said. “This is a good way for employers to invest in local talent, and keep that talent here.”

AHPS is well-positioned to support employers in establishing apprenticeship programs. The Alleghany Highlands School Board has consistently supported the role of Bradley, who is a dedicated work-based learning coordinator. Several work-based learning options are available and they include internships and mentorships. In recent years, AHPS work-based learning experiences have varied greatly by student interest. Topics have included construction, medicine, government, and others.

“We are consistently grateful for the involvement of local employers in preparing our students for their futures,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of AHPS.

AHPS places a high priority on providing opportunities to support students in their transitions to adulthood, including the workforce, military, and additional education. As an example, the school division has re-established a career-technical education program in building management at Jackson River Technical Center. AHPS has also

established two Alleghany Highlands Advancement (AHA) programs for students interested in healthcare and law. There is also a specialized lab that provides students with disabilities to practice work skills.

Employers interested in learning more about work-based learning or apprenticeship opportunities should contact Bradley at [email protected].

With approximately 2,700 students, AHPS was created when Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center merged in July 2022. The school division is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington.

AHPS news and events are regularly updated on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and Instagram at ahpublicschools. Information is also available at www.ahps.k12.va.us.

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