Apprenticeships; earn while you learn
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Apprenticeships is an on the job training. The definition of apprentice is one who is bound by indentures or by legal agreement to serve another person for a certain time with a view to learning an art or trade in consideration of instruction there in and formerly use of maintenance by the master. The apprentice (person in training) works with a journeyman (the skilled craftsman) for a specific number of years in order to become a skilled worker. Most apprenticeships will last from three to five years.
The first step to becoming an apprentice is to contact the organization and start filling out the papers for whatever apprenticeship you pick. After that, you would need to find a journeyman to allow you to work for them. It is completely up to the employer if you can work with them. No matter what field you choose to be a part of you will all need a certain amount of education. Almost every trade requires that the individual be a high school graduate or must have completed their Certificates of General Education Development (GED) of High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). In addition, some of the trades also have specific math requirements. After the apprentice applicant secures an employer, the individual is indentured through the State of Wisconsin and the Department of Workforce. By signing the indenture, the apprentice agrees to work for the employer and the employer agrees to train the individual in the various aspects of the trade.
When indentured, the individual will begin working for the employer on a full-time basis. The employer must release the apprentice from the work site on each scheduled date that related theory classes are in session. Typically, apprentices attend school once every two weeks for an eight hour session. With this format, apprentices attend related theory approximately twice a month on the day of the week specifically scheduled for their trade. For more information on getting into an apprenticeships talk to Mrs. Flory.
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| Learning is more than just the 3 R's
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In our ever changing educational system, more and more high school seniors are finding that the work they do in the classroom, and the grade they is receive for it, only shows a small fraction of what they learned in high school. Standardized tests like the American College Test (ACT) and the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam (WKCE), do not necessarily show what you’ve learned as much as what you’ve been able to memorize. Other tests like the SAT are more reliable for testing a person’s intelligence as it uses reasoning and problem solving abilities to answer questions. The student is required to apply what they have learned instead of just regurgitating it like they do in the classroom.
Most of the courses in high school are graded by the old memorization way; “here are some facts and formulas, memorize them, and we’ll have a test in a couple weeks.” To be truly successful, someone would have to be able to apply the facts and concepts learned, not just repeat what the teacher wants to hear.
Besides the things learned in the classroom, the lessons and skills learned through athletics, student government, on the job, and in other extracurricular activities are far more useful to students as they grow older and move on with their lives, whether it is at college, in the workforce, or in the military. The purpose of high schools is to give students more than just knowledge about science, math, English, and history, but also to ensure that they are socialized well enough to function in today’s society. For many students, college is going to be the great measuring stick that shows what they learned in their time at high school and how well they were socialized. Students that earned all A’s and scored highly on standardized college entrance exams may not be as successful in college because it is a different environment that uses different ways to teach and grade students.
What is important in high school is that you, the student, are receiving a well rounded education that doesn’t just teach you facts, dates, and math problems, but also one that educates you on social skills, thinking for your self and life lessons that you can draw on when you leave high school.
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