What is the Youth Apprenticeship?

The Computer Science Youth Apprenticeship program was an opportunity for students who are interested in technology to hone their craft. As of SY25 the Youth Apprenticeship program has been paused.

This program is designed to educate all types of students in the art of being a Technology Coordinator for Chicago Public Schools. Being taught by a team with experience, students are shown a variety of CPS-approved methods used across various schools in order to maintain their technology and support both students and staff.

The program focuses on the basics of hardware and software, before combining them both to teach students more advanced troubleshooting concepts. Students are exposed to several different forms of technology, from desktop computers to laptops, to MacOS and Windows machines. Lastly, students will be taught how to conduct themselves as technology coordinators by producing and presenting their own personal development as well as learn how to speak with students, staff and administrators.

The Youth Apprenticeship’s goal is to prepare students in this technology dependent world. If they choose not to pursue a career in technology, these skills can easily translate to their everyday lives.

Supported Schools

Austin College and Career Academy is the only CPS school participating in the YA program, helmed by the Computer Science Department Tech Team. ACCA conducted a School Year long pilot program for the CS Youth Apprenticeship program for SY2022-2023, which continued through the 2023-2024 school year.

Curriculum

Students participating within the CS Youth Apprenticeship program are taught how to format, repair and maintain commonly found technology within Chicago Public Schools and act professionally while doing so in their own school. The program introduces students to:

Student Professional Development

Throughout the course, students will be challenged both intellectually and socially. Group activities will be implemented throughout the first two units to improve the students’ social skills and how to work in situations that they might not usually find themselves in. In this portion of the class, however, students are pushed even further, as they are forced to speak in front of their fellow peers. They will conduct their own professional development presentations in order to reinforce the ideas taught within the program as well as to improve their public speaking skills and audience skills.

In-Field Training

At the end of the program, students will be able to support their school by going out to different classrooms to troubleshoot, identify, and fix issues. At first, students will be accompanied by the Youth Apprenticeship coordinators until they can prove that they can effectively support the school on their own and communicate professionally with staff.

Why participate?

• Students will learn technology skills that they can use in their day-to-day life

• The program offers students a break from their regular school schedules

• Students will learn important social skills

• Students can have a sense of ownership and responsibility to their schools through this position

• Students will create lifelong friendships with their fellow peers within the program

What do you need to start a program?