Maryland Works grant expands apprenticeships; MCPS aims for 40–45% participation by 2030‑31

Montgomery County Public Schools described how the Maryland Works grant has enlarged students’ access to apprenticeships and internships, supported a digital navigator platform, and created a hub model to scale work‑based learning across 25 high schools.

Irina LaGrange, director of college and career readiness, said the grant let MCPS pilot four ‘hub’ high schools and build shared infrastructure and common language so students and employers can more easily connect. “This platform is gonna allow us to take a more long‑term approach,” LaGrange said, and noted that in the first two months about 1,700 ninth‑ and tenth‑grade students accessed the platform.

MCPS said internship participation increased to roughly 3,000 students this school year (an increase from about 1,500); apprenticeship completions are growing but face barriers such as employer age and insurance requirements and a 450‑hour commitment for apprenticeships. The district highlighted early innovations including the county’s first approved virtual apprenticeship, where a Gaithersburg High School student works remotely for an employer at Dulles Airport while receiving in‑school supervision.

MCPS said the state blueprint sets a target that by roughly 2030–31 about 40–45% of a graduating class should either engage in apprenticeship or earn industry‑recognized credentials; MCPS staff said they will map funding (including Perkins funding and grants) and set program goals and metrics to track progress.

Why it matters: expanding apprenticeships is part of a statewide workforce blueprint that the district said could expand career pathways and yield industry‑recognized credentials and paid work experience for students.

What’s next: MCPS will continue to pilot hub models, benchmark employer partnerships, provide transportation for a November apprenticeship week event at Montgomery College and return for further committee updates on goals, costs and scaling.