At CVES359, young people pursue knowledge and skills by tackling real-world challenges. Seriously! We've had 1st graders build rain gardens to reduce flooding, 3rd graders create social media campaigns to reduce discrimination, and more.

To do this well, we partner with industry professionals that teach young people technical skills which can later be utilized in the students' projects (the aforementioned 1st graders partnered with a meteorologist and a green infrastructure specialist!). But more importantly, students can use these skills in their lives.

For the 2023-2024 school year, we are looking for individuals ready to "coach" a small group of learners, as they use career-based knowledge to complete a project centered around a need for a specific client.

A successful Micro-Apprenticeship includes:

• Engaging in meaningful work, for example, ecologists looking for help collecting soil samples and data along the Bronx River.

• Work on tasks that are simple, specific, and doable within 4-6 weeks, using real tools and skills of professional experts.

• Have an industry expert who's willing to guide students in doing the task (that's you!)

Many young individuals enter the workforce without a clear understanding of their potential for high earnings, their personal strengths, or their true interests. This uncertainty often leads to years of low-wage employment as they search for a meaningful career path. Unfortunately, some never find that path, missing out on fulfilling careers with substantial earnings.

Statistics highlight the extent of this issue. Only about 25% of high school graduates have a definite career plan, and a significant 47% of millennials admit to changing their career goals multiple times since college graduation. Access to opportunities is uneven, with disparities evident among different racial and ethnic groups. For example, in 2019, only 37% of Black learners had access to career and technical programs, compared to 53% of white learners. Additionally, the American Psychological Association notes that BIPOC learners are more frequently pushed toward lower-wage career paths compared to their white counterparts. 

Cumulatively these disparities have far-reaching consequences, affecting long-term earnings, job satisfaction, overall well-being, and even the labor market's diversity. In industries like engineering and data science, BIPOC workers remain significantly underrepresented.

In response to these challenges, we have developed Micro-Apprenticeships. This innovative approach seeks to address the problem by assisting the next generation of workers in discovering meaningful and lucrative careers. By doing so, we not only empower individuals but also stimulate innovation and economic growth as BIPOC students contribute to high-demand fields. Through short-term, hands-on work experiences under the guidance of experienced mentors, learners gain essential skills and personalized advice, equipping them for success in thriving industries.

Imagine a new world where young people, starting as early as 3rd grade, earn micro-credentials, establish bank accounts, and receive income. By the time they graduate, these learners would possess a clear understanding of their passions and interests, a portfolio of externally recognized skills, and a valuable network of industry mentors. By the age of 18, they would be significantly better prepared for the demands of in-demand jobs.

Through collaborative efforts with Industry Partners, we can provide guided career exploration, bridging the gap between ambition and opportunity, and paving the way for a brighter future for our youth.

We are currently looking for individuals and/or organizations working across a variety of industries. What is most important is that you are passionate about coaching young people between the ages of 8-11 and you believe that you have skills that you can offer them to be successful in completing their task.

Each Micro-Apprenticeship will involve a small group of students (between 3-8 students), along with a supervising teacher to support them.

As an Industry Partner you will work with our team to design a schedule that is appropriate for your Micro-Apprenticeship. To keep the door of opportunity open, we can be flexible with the time commitment, such as:

• 1 day a week for 4 weeks

• 1 day for 7 hours

• 5 days for one week

Whenever possible we hope that industry partners can offer their services free of charge or for an exchange of services. In special cases and when funding allows, we may be able to offer a stipend. 

There may be situations where students need equipment, tools, and other resources to learn the skill or complete their project. If we can get them donated we aim to do that. If not, we have reserved funding to support this.

Industry partners looking to utilize this time for community service hours may email jenn@transcendeducation.org. 

The application process is simple!

Interested volunteers may contact jenn@transcendeducation.org to get started. 

We have answers! Please schedule a call or email jenn@transcendeducation.org and we will respond promptly.