Columbia area students can apply for Midlands Youth Apprenticeship Program

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The Columbia Chamber of Commerce is recruiting new participants for the Midlands Youth Apprenticeship Program. In partnership with with Midlands Technical College and Apprenticeship Carolina.

Launched in 2018, MYA is a program designed to help create a talent pipeline for area businesses while creating a viable work-based learning opportunity for students during high school. Participants are registered apprentices who work part-time with local companies while they take classes at their high school and Midlands Tech, according to a news release.

At the end of the two-year program, students will have earned a high school diploma, college credits in a specific field from MTC, a U.S. Department of Labor credential and two years of paid work experience.

“The MYA program teaches invaluable skills to make students competitive in the workplace,” said Carl Blackstone, president and CEO of the Columbia Chamber. “Graduates of this program get a two-year head start on their future and employers gain a career-ready workforce.”

Families interested in learning more about the program can attend information sessions. For students in Richland District Two, a meeting will be held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Jan. 31 at the R212 Conference Center at 763 Fashion Drive in Northeast Columbia.

For Richland District One, a meeting is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 1 at Heyward Career Conference Center, 3560 Lynhaven Drive in Columbia.

Businesses interested in participating in the apprenticeship program should contact the Columbia Chamber. More information about the program can also be found online.