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Exemplary
Program
YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) implemented a Youth Apprenticeship Program in 1996. The program integrates classroom instruction with work-based learning experiences at GBI Headquarters. Georgia's Governor Zell Miller has spearheaded the Youth Apprenticeship Program statewide. However, GBI's foray into this arena marked the first state agency participation in this program. The program allows high school juniors and seniors to work in their career field of choice while completing high school and moving into their post-secondary education. GBI views our participation as two-fold: to illustrate to today's youth a sincere work ethic and its rewards and to develop employee loyalty while encouraging these young men and women to make GBI their career. Students selected to be a part of GBI's Youth Apprenticeship Program must be at least 16 years of age, have a cumulative "B" average with good math, science, communication, and basic computer skills. To complete the apprenticeship, the student must successfully commit to a minimum of 2000 on-the-job hours of instruction. The student is then prepared to go further into the work force with a two-year degree from a technical institute or college and two years of work experience in their preferred field. The student is enabled to bring more to the employer's table than just a two-year degree. GBI's program has targeted students in the county of our Headquarters, DeKalb County. GBI's Director of Personnel partners with DeKalb County Board of Education's Apprenticeship Coordinator to annually visit county high schools to brief students on the apprenticeship opportunity. Students must submit applications, letters of recommendation from their teachers, and letters of permission from their parents/guardians, which allow for a polygraph exam and pre-employment drug screening. Each student is selected based on their academic strengths and the letters of recommendations. The selected students are paired with a mentor in their work unit. The mentor in addition to answering work-related questions serves as a resource for what is proper work attire, scheduling questions, and how to professionally deal with our customers. Each apprentice is given a work performance plan indicating their job expectations and is rated on such at the same time as our other employees. Since GBI's program implementation in March 1996, seven students have completed or are currently participating in this program. Out of the original five, three have successfully completed the program and one has been promoted to a full-time job with GBI's Crime Information Center. These five were assigned over the course of their apprenticeship to our Communications Center, Crime Information Center, Helpdesk, Office of Personnel, Forensic Biology, and GBI's Information Systems Unit. One apprentice transferred to medical school before completion of our program. Our two latest apprentices are working in our Crime Information Center with one being assigned to the Instant Gun Check Program and the other to the Information Systems Unit. GBI deems the program an overwhelming success. "These young people have dreams and hopes for a successful tomorrow, and it is our duty as adults and experts in our fields to open the door of opportunity," GBI Director Milton E. Nix, Jr., said. "It gives me an enormous amount of satisfaction to see that the GBI is helping to make these goals a reality." Nix said the apprentices are gaining valuable and practical work experience, combining technical and academic training. "It builds self-confidence for success at school and work," he said. "Eventually, I would like to see the GBI branch this apprenticeship program to its regional offices all over the State of Georgia." We encourage other law enforcement agencies to tap into this opportunity.
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