Three graduating seniors from Talbot County High Schools have completed apprenticeships through the Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program.  Elizabeth Wilburt, a senior at Easton High School, is a dual completer of the Computer Science Program and Youth Apprenticeship Program.  Working at Choptank Transport in Preston, she was able to apply the industry skills she learned in the classroom to various tasks, including solving issues with equipment and software, setting up phone systems and servers, to auditing company permissions and security. Elizabeth plans to attend a four-year college or university to study both Computer Science and Psychology.

Elmer Melendez-Martinez is graduating from Easton High School as both a Culinary Arts Program Completer and Youth Apprenticeship Completer. Elmer started his journey as a youth apprentice at Inn at Perry Cabin right before the pandemic hit. He continued his apprenticeship throughout the summer and school year, working hard in the kitchen to perfect his craft. According to his mentor and the human resources manager, Elmer is one of the best employees they have. After graduating, Elmer will continue to grow his promising career at Inn at Perry Cabin.

Daniel “Nate” Schultz is a graduating senior at St. Michaels Middle High School. He began his apprenticeship in the Fall of 2019 with Campbell’s Boat Yards in Oxford, MD. He had the opportunity to be mentored by multiple professionals in the boat carpentry field. During the pandemic, Nate continued to work, as boating became a more popular pastime than ever here on the Eastern Shore. Nate will be graduating as both a Carpentry Program and Youth Apprenticeship Completer.

Looking ahead to the next school year, three more students have signed with local businesses that are participating in the Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program. Chandler Dyott, a senior at St. Michaels Middle High School, has signed an agreement with Campbell’s Boatyards. Campbell’s offers a complete range of services at their three boatyards, from custom boat building, restoration, and repairs to winter dry storage and slip rentals.  

Campbell’s is a member of the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM), which regularly hosts on-the-job trainees through Maryland’s EARN Program.  Through this partnership, Chandler will have the added benefit of an established on-the-job training program, a resource for advanced professional training, and a connection to the broader marine industry in Maryland. “MTAM is always encouraged to see young people like Chandler embracing career opportunities in the boating industry,” says Lia Jaros, Workforce Development Coordinator. “We have seen an ever-increasing demand for new talent on an already tall order. We are excited to partner with Campbell’s Boat Yards and Youth Apprenticeship to offer Chandler every opportunity to succeed.” 

William Burgess has signed an agreement with The Whalen Company as a Lab Engineering Apprentice.  A senior at Easton High, Will is also pursuing the Career and Technology Education Project Lead The Way Engineering pathway.  Headquartered in Easton, The Whalen Company is one of America’s most innovative leaders in the commercial heating and air conditioning industry.

Mikayla Hubbard, also a Senior at Easton High, has signed a Youth Apprenticeship agreement with Crystal Steel Fabricators, Inc. in Federalsburg, where she will train as a welder.  Mikayla has successfully completed the first two welding courses at Chesapeake College and is currently enrolled in the automotive CTE program.  A provider of structural steel services, Crystal Steel, is the East Coast’s leading AISC Certified MBE steel fabricator.

“We are so grateful to these companies who have gone above and beyond to provide apprenticeship opportunities for our students during this very challenging year,” said Jodie Colombo, TCPS School-to-Career Facilitator. “These successes are a testament to their commitment to the Apprenticeship Maryland program and to building our future workforce.”

For more information about the Youth Apprenticeship Maryland program in Talbot County, contact the Easton High School School-to-Career Facilitator at apprenticeships@talbotschools.org or call Easton High School at 410-822-4180.