Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) are teaming up to host a Charles County Chamber of Commerce mixer later this month. The event is presented by the chamber’s business and education committee.
Business representatives are invited to stop by Thomas Stone High School from 6 to 8 p.m., Jan. 17, to learn more about work-based learning and how to grow a workforce through internships and apprenticeships. Catering will be provided by students in the Food and Beverage Management: ProStart, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
Apprenticeship Maryland Program
CCPS students can participate in the Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP), a youth apprenticeship program for students 16 and older who want to gain experience in the workforce and learn skills that will benefit them after graduation. The program was developed in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Department of Labor (MDoL) to provide students a unique opportunity to “earn and learn.”
St. Charles High School senior Mechelle Johnson-Reeves is a youth apprentice who splits her time between the CTE department and communication office working about 20 hours a week while attending classes. Johnson-Reeves, the student liaison to the Board for St. Charles, first learned about the AMP program after seeing a sign in the lobby of the CCPS Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building before a Board meeting. She investigated further and found she liked the opportunities the program offered.
“I aspired to work somewhere where I could grow and have the means to pave the way for my future in a field I envisioned," Johnson-Reeves said. She is interested in studying law after her undergraduate studies and plans to own and operate her own business. With an interest in making films and storytelling, Johnson-Reeves is eyeing a career working with leaders of different industries.
The AMP program focuses on career pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) occupations. The STEM-related occupations include those in:
Information Technology.
Health and Biomedical Sciences.
Manufacturing.
Construction and Design.
Banking and Finance.
CCPS youth apprentices — all high school seniors — fill positions at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building and annexes. Students work with CCPS staff in CTE, communications, human resources, the Office of Teaching and Learning, technology, transportation and with the nonprofit Stella’s Girls.
Mixer details
At the mixer, business representatives can learn more about work-based learning (WBL) programs within CCPS and CSM. Following a brief presentation about WBL programs, staff from CCPS, CSM, the Maryland Department of Labor, Charles County Economic Development and the Tri-County Council will be available to answer questions and provide more information and resources.
To register to attend the mixer, go to
Admission is free for chamber members and $15 for nonmembers. Thomas Stone is at 3785 Leonardtown Road in Waldorf.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).