Prosecutor briefs commissioners on CareerWise paralegal apprenticeship; public commenter questions program funding

Prosecuting Attorney Vicki Becker told Elkhart County commissioners July 7 that the county's paralegal apprenticeship with CareerWise Elkhart County has operated for nearly four years, produced graduates and expanded to additional positions.

Becker said the program has already graduated two apprentices — one went on to higher education and one is employed by the prosecutor's office — and that two current apprentices are expected to finish next year. She said the office plans to add another apprentice this fall and that the agreement for the program was handled by the county administrator so it did not require formal commission action.

During the meeting's public-comment period Cindy Hajek of Goshen acknowledged the program's positive outcomes for students but argued that CareerWise "is a legislative inflationary growing government type of program" and expressed concerns about public subsidies for apprenticeships and the role of government in placing students in paid work experiences.

No formal action was required or taken by the commissioners on the apprenticeship agreement at the July 7 meeting.