In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week (November 18-22), Apprenticely is proud to announce its partnership with the EAST Initiative to promote the value of apprenticeships as a future career path for students throughout Arkansas.
EAST is a community service-based elective course in the K-12 environment across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
“EAST is education accelerated by service and technology,” says Matt Dozier, EAST President and CEO. “We inspire change. We transform schools and communities by empowering students with technology, encouraging critical thinking and creative problem-solving, and engaging them in positive, real-world experiences. We advocate lifelong learning and community service. Through EAST, participants become positive agents of change to improve the world around them.”
Apprenticely is working to raise awareness among young people in Arkansas about how apprenticeships can provide valuable career opportunities, regardless of whether they plan to follow a traditional education path or are seeking alternatives. To achieve this goal, Apprenticely is partnering with EAST students to develop projects that educate their community about why apprenticeship is a strong career pathway. Students will explore various industries, like IT, advanced energy, and advanced manufacturing that offer apprenticeship opportunities.
“Apprenticely’s mission is to implement innovative programs, foster strategic relationships, and strengthen educational pathways to bridge the skills gap between employers and talent,” says Bill Yoder, Apprenticely Executive Director. “Together, the EAST and Apprenticely partnership affords students the opportunity to leverage their interests and expertise to benefit all parties involved in this project.”
Student projects will include promotional and/or educational material that highlights how apprenticeships can serve both types of students—those who may not pursue traditional education pathways and those who do. The projects will emphasize how apprenticeships provide valuable real-world experience, whether as an alternative to college or as a supplement to formal education. Once submitted, projects will be implemented by Apprenticely with the goal of growing participation in apprenticeship programs.
Project formats may include long-form (30 minutes or less) or short-form videos (TikTok), podcasts, posters and flyers, or social media campaigns. Students can select any medium that effectively communicates the value of apprenticeships as an alternative to traditional education.
To learn more about Apprenticely, visit apprenticely.org.
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About Apprenticely
Apprenticely, (formerly the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences) is dedicated to growing the workforce through the model of Registered Apprenticeship by fostering collaboration, establishing critical partnerships, and developing talent in high-demand, high-growth areas.
Apprenticely works with key partners including: Arkansas Workforce Connections, a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce, Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Arkansas Advanced Energy Association, Forge Institute, Xpanxion Technology, Pluralsight, Arkansas Academy of Computing, University of Arkansas Global Campus, Newport Economic Development Commission, ASU Newport, SEARK Community College, Arkansas Local Workforce Boards, Shorter College, and many others.
About EAST
EAST is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Little Rock. Greenbrier High School first offered EAST in 1996; EAST now has programs in more than 250 schools across three states. Through EAST, students are encouraged to think critically and innovate to create positive change in their communities with the technology EAST provides for their classrooms. EAST offers year-round training to students; and professional development for EAST educators and for all classroom teachers through Education Unleashed. To learn more about EAST, visit www.eastinitiative.org.
