The Austin Apprenticeship Program
In January 1994, at the generous invitation of the director of Handwerkskammer-Koblenz sent thirteen recent high school graduates to begin apprenticeships of their choice in Koblenz. Handwerkskammer-Koblenz is a business organization of small and medium-sized businesses, which, among other activities, administers apprenticeships in craft occupations. In Austin, the organization administering the exchange was the Capital Area Training Foundation, an industry-led, non-profit corporation established in 1994 by the City of Austin and the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce to guide the development of a school-to-career system in Austin. The Capital Area Training Foundation still exists in 2012 as the renamed Skillpoint Alliance. It has the mission of building connections between employers, schools and the community to promote learning in Central Texas.
This initial group of Austin youths chose apprenticeships in a variety of occupations, including machine builder, steel fabricator, electrical installer, automobile mechanic, automobile electrical technician, baker, cabinetmaker, and carpenter. The youths were provided accelerated language tutoring in German, cultural orientation, and assistance in securing accommodations..
Slightly more than half of the Austin youths completed a two-year German apprenticeship and became certified in their trade. German apprenticeship is more commonly known as the “Dual System” because it includes a combination of workplace learning and classroom instruction.
The apprentice exchange aimed to provide Austin youths and employers some direct exposure to the German Dual System, with the hope of inspiring Austin businesses to take greater responsibility for the career development of area youths.
This initial group of Austin youths chose apprenticeships in a variety of occupations, including machine builder, steel fabricator, electrical installer, automobile mechanic, automobile electrical technician, baker, cabinetmaker, and carpenter. The youths were provided accelerated language tutoring in German, cultural orientation, and assistance in securing accommodations..
Slightly more than half of the Austin youths completed a two-year German apprenticeship and became certified in their trade. German apprenticeship is more commonly known as the “Dual System” because it includes a combination of workplace learning and classroom instruction.
The apprentice exchange aimed to provide Austin youths and employers some direct exposure to the German Dual System, with the hope of inspiring Austin businesses to take greater responsibility for the career development of area youths.
