State apprenticeship programs highlighted as pathway from after‑school learning to careers
Summary
Meredith Smith told the commission Alabama participates in Apprenticeship America and that apprenticeships can connect 16–26‑year‑olds to career pathways; commissioners discussed ways to align out‑of‑school programming with career and technical education.
Meredith Smith, who identified herself on the call, described Alabama’s participation in Apprenticeship America and framed apprenticeships as a pathway to careers for disconnected youth. "Alabama has the highest rate of disconnected youth in the nation. It's about 90,000 of our 18 to 24 year olds who aren't working and aren't in school," she said, urging the commission to consider career‑pathway alignment with out‑of‑school programming.
Members discussed opportunities to partner with career technical education and suggested regional engagement to increase awareness. Meredith noted existing momentum with registered apprenticeship programs and recommended using conferences and regional superintendent meetings to promote apprenticeship connections for older youth. The commission expressed support for continuing discussions and for including apprenticeship linkages in its recommendations.
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