Work Based Learning
Is it for me?
MCPS Maryland Apprenticeship Program 2-11-2026
Is the
Maryland Apprenticeship Program
for me?
Find your Internship Apprenticeship Teacher!
Step 1
Yes! Every school has one.
Your counselor will know who it is for you.
What is an Internship Coordinator?
What do I need to know & Do?
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Apprenticeship is Employment
Be eligible to work in the US
Apply and be selected It is a competitive process
Work 250 hours over the course of a year at a skilled occupation
Take a Related Instruction course to build skills for the work
Complete a Digital Portfolio documenting your work experience
Apprenticeship is NOT!
We get it - you're tired of school and all your friends got to go home each afternoon during senior year BUT Apprenticeship is work. You will be expected to go to work and study.
Apprenticeships have many of the benefits of a High School Program BUT Apprenticeship is paid employment. You have to apply and be selected by the employer as a hire and be a responsible employee.
Apprenticeship will build your resume - BUT it is not an extra to add on so you look better for college. You are making a commitment to an employer to build skills in a career interest you want to pursue after graduation. Apprenticeship can lead to college credit and degrees.
Your caregivers want to do things for you BUT you must be willing to independently work with your employer & school to succeed. Ask your caregivers & school for help - but show that you can be an adult by doing things independently with your employer & school.
A Half Day Schedule
Just a Resume Builder
A Program to Enroll In
Your Caregivers’ Responsibility
I am ready for the challenge!
What do I get?
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06
Paid Employment
Advanced Level Credit on your transcript
Industry Recognized Credential
High School Diploma
CTE Completer
Skills instruction to increase your wage potential & abilities to meet future goals
And, recognition from the Maryland Governor’s Office, a cord for graduation & a special awards ceremony.
What is true for you?
Each box above links to slides to help you apply to Apprenticeship or
find a path to Career Readiness.
OK, I can do all that
How do I apply?
Apprenticeship is employment!
Create an Employment Packet | Write a resume and cover letter - for the job. Get a letter of reference from a teacher. Upload all the documents in the WBL Navigator - Directions |
Apply | Each Candidate must complete an application with each specific employer. |
WAIT | When you submit an application the employer reviews it on their timeline. It may take time to know if you have an interview. |
Prepare | While waiting - prepare - practice for the interview, secure a professional outfit - be ready! |
Interview - if selected | If selected, go to the interview on time, dressed professionally, prepared to answer questions and eager. |
Interview - if not selected | You may not get an interview - that is ok. Nobody gets every job interview. Plan your next application. Review your application for improvement & practice interviewing |
Send a thank you note and WAIT | Send a thank you email after the interview. Employers make decisions on their timeline. You may have to wait to hear. Do not bug the employer - you will not get the job! |
You
Got The Job!
ONBOARDING Apprenticeship
Immediately let your Internship Coordinator, counselor and caregivers know you have been offered an Apprenticeship position.
Make sure your counselor put the Apprenticeship classes on your schedule so you get Advanced Level credit.
Follow this link and get your work permit. You need this to start work.
Follow this link to complete your MCPS Apprenticeship Agreement Form. This must be on file for you to work. Your Internship Apprenticeship Teacher will help you complete it.
Look for emails, return phone calls and do everything that is asked of you. You have come this far - don’t blow it by not following directions.
Follow this link to complete the form. This form is very, very important. It must be turned into Maryland Department of Labor within 10 days of your start date.
Tell your School & Caregivers
Update your Schedule
Follow Employer Directions
Get a Work Permit
Complete the MCPS Agreement Form
Complete the Apprenticeship Maryland Program Form
Onboarding is a set of tasks you need to do to start a job.
Put all these documents in the Kuder Navigator Documents
Once you are working, Remember
Your school is here to help!
Celebrate!
Time to go out to dinner
Um, I need more information
What’s Next?
If Apprenticeship doesn’t work for you, there are options.
I am not eligible to work in the US. | Work with your Counselor and Work Based Learning teachers to find a Career and Technical Education path that will give you a certification. Look for an unpaid internship in that field. That way, if you gain employment eligibility you can make more money. |
I don’t have room in my schedule. | Work with your Internship Coordinator to find Internship options that don’t require as many hours. You can still benefit from Work Based Learning. |
I just want an Abbreviated Schedule to work a job. | Abbreviated schedules no longer exist for work. If you are leaving school to work, the work must be connected to education. We still want you to be learning! Your Internship Coordinator can help you connect to Work Based Learning. |
I don’t have transportation. | Montgomery County has excellent public transportation - it is free for you! It might take more time than driving but you can start your career and set yourself up to afford a car sooner. If you are in a school with less transportation options, then look for opportunities close to your school. |
Where do I find opportunities to review? | Your Internship Coordinator can help you find opportunities that match your interests. Different employers hire at different times, so you need guidance. |
I want to earn money, but not do the classes for Internship or Apprenticeship. | Any work that takes you from school needs to be connected to learning. Either professional skills learning for Internship or skills based learning for Apprenticeship. |
Why should I bother working so hard in my senior year? | Because the day after graduation you will be glad you invested in yourself. Many Apprentices go directly to full time, well paying jobs right after graduation. Those that go to college or technical programs have a unique experience that gets noticed for scholarships & programs. |
What to do next…
Discover the best Work Based Learning option for you.
Especially if you don’t want to go to college!
You are almost an adult!
Talk to every adult you know about how to be ready to succeed the day after graduation.
Have a plan, graduation will be here before you know it!
If you hate the work in high school, it is almost over and you can plan for your success in a new way!
Talk to your Internship Apprenticeship Teacher about how to make your post high school life better with a good job!
Talk to your Internship Apprenticeship Teacher
Talk to people about your future plans
You can succeed - invest in yourself now !
The Future is Yours!
Connect with your Internship Coordinator today so you can be ready!
Is the
Internship
Program
for me?
Find your Internship Apprenticeship Teacher!
Step 1
Yes! Every school has one.
Your counselor will know who it is for you.
What is an Internship Coordinator?
What do I need to know?
01
04
02
05
03
06
Internship requires a work experience.
Internships can be paid or unpaid.
Internships require 150 hours per credit. Credits are based on actual work hours.
Internships might be part of a program of study.
Internships require attendance at a seminar class and homework.
Internships require paperwork and tracking hours.
Internship is NOT!
Internship is work. You will be expected to go to work at an internship site and study. The goal of internship is not to leave school early but to do meaningful work.
You will be making a commitment to the organization where you are interning, including in school positions. You must commit to following through on the position even if it becomes difficult.
If you have an in school internship, you will be expected to have a sponsor, meaningful work and create evidence that will be used as part of your grade.
Your caregivers want to do things for you BUT you must be willing to independently work with your employer & school to succeed. Ask your caregivers & school for help - but show that you can be an adult by doing things independently with your employer & school.
A Half Day Schedule
A Study Hall
Job Exploration Only
Your Caregivers’ Responsibility
I am ready for the challenge!
What do I get?
01
02
03
Work Experience - You should strive for an authentic experience
Advanced Level Credit on your transcript
Skills instruction to increase your wage potential & abilities to meet future goals
What is true for you?
Each box above links to slides to help you apply to Apprenticeship or
find a path to Career Readiness.
OK, I can do all that
How do I apply?
Create an Employment Packet | Write a resume and cover letter - for the position. Get a letter of reference from a teacher. Create a student portfolio in the WBL Navigator - Directions |
Apply | Each Candidate must complete an application with each specific position. |
WAIT | When you submit an application the organization reviews it on their timeline. It may take time to know if you have an interview. |
Prepare | While waiting - prepare - practice for the interview, secure a professional outfit - be ready! |
Interview - if selected | If selected, go to the interview on time, dressed professionally, prepared to answer questions and eager. |
Interview - if not selected | You may not get an interview - that is ok. Nobody gets every job interview. Plan your next application. Review your application for improvement & practice interviewing |
Send a thank you note and WAIT | Send a thank you email after the interview. Employers make decisions on their timeline. You may have to wait to hear. Do not bug the employer - you will not get the opportunity! |
You
Got The position!
ONBOARDING Internship
Immediately let your Internship Apprenticeship Teacher, counselor and caregivers know you have been offered an Apprenticeship position.
Make sure your counselor put the Apprenticeship classes on your schedule so you get Advanced Level credit.
Follow this link and get your work permit. You need this to start work. You only need a work permit for a paid Internship.
Follow this link to complete your MCPS Internship Agreement Form. This must be on file for you to work. Your Internship Coordinator will help you complete it.
Look for emails, return phone calls and do everything that is asked of you. You have come this far - don’t blow it by not following directions.
Follow this link to complete the form. This form is important.
Tell your School & Caregivers
Update your Schedule
Follow Employer Directions
Get a Work Permit
Complete the MCPS Agreement Form
Have you sponsor complete the Internship Sponsor Form
Onboarding is a set of tasks you need to do to start a job.
Once you are working, Remember
Your school is here to help!
Celebrate!
Time to go out to dinner
Um, I need more information
What’s Next?
Questions about Work Based Learning
I am not eligible to work in the US. | Work with your Counselor and Work Based Learning teachers to find a Career and Technical Education path that will give you a certification. Look for an unpaid internship in that field. That way, if you gain employment eligibility you can make more money. |
I don’t have room in my schedule. | Work with your Internship Apprenticeship Teacher to find Internship options that don’t require as many hours. You can still benefit from Work Based Learning. |
I just want an Abbreviated Schedule to work a job. | Abbreviated schedules no longer exist for work. If you are leaving school to work, the work must be connected to education. We still want you to be learning! Your Internship Apprenticeship Teacher can help you connect to Work Based Learning. |
I don’t have transportation. | Montgomery County has excellent public transportation - it is free for you! It might take more time than driving but you can start your career and set yourself up to afford a car sooner. If you are in a school with less transportation options, then look for opportunities close to your school. |
Where do I find opportunities to review? | Your Internship Apprenticeship Teacher can help you find opportunities that match your interests. |
I want to earn money, but not do the classes for Internship or Apprenticeship. | Any work that takes you from school needs to be connected to learning. Either professional skills learning for Internship or skills based learning for Apprenticeship. |
Why should I bother working so hard in my senior year? | Because the day after graduation you will be glad you invested in yourself. |
The Future is Yours!
Connect with your Internship Apprenticeship Teacher today so you can be ready!