news release

On Thursday, May 16th, Youth Guidance held an inspiring graduation ceremony at Community Church of Vero Beach to honor 16 local teenagers and young adults who completed its 8-month Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

The keynote speaker of the event was School District of Indian River County Superintendent Dr. David Moore who commended the graduates for their dedication and encouraged them to keep pursuing their goals and education. 

Pre-Apprenticeship graduates received a certificate from the Florida State Department of Education for completing 144 hours of hands-on learning in HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and welding, as well as classroom instruction using the NCCER Core curriculum. NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) is an internationally recognized curriculum approved by the Florida State Board of Education and utilized by local colleges and universities.  

Compared to last year, twice as many Pre-Apprenticeship students received their state completion certificate, and the class average on NCCER testing rose by nearly 15%. Pre-Apprenticeship students also received their Forklift Operator’s Permit, OSHA-10 Certification, and First Aid and CPR Certifications.

“We are tremendously proud of the accomplishments of our graduates this year,” said Youth Guidance Executive Director Phil Barnes. “They committed themselves to the 8-month Pre-apprenticeship Program and now their journey really begins. We are already working with our local employers and trade schools to help them find employment or pursue post-secondary education.”

The Pre-Apprenticeship Program is the first of its kind in Indian River County, providing youth ages 17-24 with industry certifications, career counseling, and training to develop their interest in the trade sector and obtain the skills needed to obtain a well-paying career.

Since launching the program in 2021, Youth Guidance has helped 48 local teenagers and young adults earn industry certifications. Furthermore, 80% of past graduates obtained employment in the trades after the program or enrolled in postsecondary education.

The program is free to teenagers and young adults, thanks to the generosity of the local community. This year, the program was made possible by the support of the Blair Family Foundation, Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Mary Lewisy, and Richard Schlitt.

Furthermore, to facilitate the Pre-Apprenticeship this past year, Youth Guidance partnered with Vero Beach High School, Treasure Coast Technical College, Florida Heart CPR, Sunrise Rotary, and Florida Training Services.

Youth Guidance has recently opened enrollment for the upcoming Pre-Apprenticeship class starting in September at Vero Beach High School. Interested students can call 772-492-3933 or visit www.youthguidanceprogram.org to learn more and apply.

Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy is dedicated to enriching the lives of Indian River County youth through mentoring relationships that inspire trust, self-esteem, and positive futures. Founded in 1973, Youth Guidance provides daily meals, year-round mentoring programs, and parent support for children and young adults (ages 6-24) with limited resources. Programs focus on academic enrichment, life skills, and college & career development. They include tutoring with a certified teacher, culinary arts, sewing, gardening, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), recreation, and certification-based programs within the skilled trades.

If you are interested in learning more about Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy or making a donation, please call (772) 492-3933, or visit www.youthguidanceprogram.org.