USM, Hattiesburg High Collaborate on Summer Apprenticeship Program

Mon, 06/03/2024 - 02:07pm | By: Van Arnold

This summer, Hattiesburg High School students have a unique opportunity to go beyond the customary classroom protocol as part of a collaborative apprenticeship program with The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).

Earlier this year, the Mississippi Department of Education awarded USM a $1,544,968 grant through the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative that helped established the Going Beyond Apprenticeship Program for Career and Technical Education (CTE) students in Hattiesburg Public Schools.

The grant is allocated at $386,242 annually over four years. As part of the program, Hattiesburg High School students will gain academic and technical skills in addition to work experience as they undergo 150 hours of professional development training, 40 hours of service-learning, and 450 hours as apprentices with approved community partners during their junior and senior years. A total of 23 students have signed up for the summer program.

Dr. Jo Hawkins-Jones, associate teaching professor in the USM School of Education, serves as principal investigator on the grant. She points out that Going Beyond apprentices will complete 80 hours of apprenticeship training this summer with various community partners. These include: the Hattiesburg Public School District Transportation Department; the City of Hattiesburg; the Osceola McCarty Youth Development Center; L.J. Rowan Elementary School, and the School of Polymer Science and Engineering at USM.

“Their apprenticeship training will include service-learning components,” said Hawkins-Jones. “Students from the construction and electrical program will repair local park equipment, such as benches and picnic tables. They will also collaborate with the early childhood education apprentices to build and stock little libraries with age-appropriate books to be placed around the City of Hattiesburg.”

Additionally, the program will offer free ceramics classes to the public on Saturdays in the fall. 

Immediate goals of the program include:

• Improve students’ ACT scores to meet the college readiness benchmark of 22.
• Increase student preparedness and passing rate on industry certification assessments.
• Increase family and community engagement.

Ms. Jennie Noonkester, Student Service Coordinator for Hattiesburg Public Schools, emphasizes that the Going Beyond Apprenticeship Program gives students opportunities and resources needed to help develop leadership qualities.

“Students who participate actively delve into real-world challenges alongside their instructors and peers. The students work with their teachers, employers, and peers to develop 21st Century skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and collaboration,” said Noonkester. “During the spring term, the young apprentices gained greater connections with their peers and built self-confidence. Now, during the summer session, the students will use these gained skills to work directly in their chosen career pathway.”

Hawkins-Jones’ extensive expertise in service-learning and teacher education makes her the ideal advocate to assist members of Hattiesburg High’s Career and Technical Education Program.

“I am extremely excited to have received funding for this program, as it provides high school students with opportunities to participate in a paid apprenticeship that offers a comprehensive blend of service, academic, professional, and person development experiences,” said Hawkins-Jones. “This not only increases their college and career readiness, but also enhances their academic growth, personal development, and civic responsibility.”

Hawkins-Jones notes that in addition to giving students early exposure to technical jobs that align with their career interest, the program may also help increase the representation of young women and students of color in the fields of education, STEM, and construction.