When you were a child, what was your dream job? Did your dream come true? If you had the chance to experience your dream job as a child, would it have changed your life?

At National Apprentice Day, they are creating a world where every child has the opportunity to discover and pursue their dream job, free. Youth, ages 6-18, can explore by way of day visits, job shadowing apprenticeships, skills training, and mentoring programs. The organization’s mission is to take millions of youth out of poverty while closing America’s skills gap. National Apprentice Day’s dream is a world where every child can access and explore their dream job. Instead of just receiving financial or material aid, the youth are given a chance to improve their destiny by gaining hope, inspiration and skills through real world experience and hands on training.

In 2015, the organization launched a pilot program which successfully connected 41 kids to 11 businesses in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Employers included The Greenbrier Resort, TAG Architect Studio, Appalachian Electronic Instruments, the Lewisburg town Mayor and city workers, Greenbrier Valley Baking Company, Hill & Holler, E. Lavoyd Morgan Jr (law office), Bella the Corner Gourmet, and LBSPY/HashtagWV paper. The pilot program was a huge success. Feedback from youth apprentices and employers was tremendously positive, many of them are requesting to participate again while referring friends and associates.

“To date, Apprentice Day has connected 50 youth to their dream job. By the end of the year, we are on track to connect 100 kids!” – Christina Entenmann.

National Apprentice Day officially launched on September 1st 2016. On October 13th, Travis Farley Design hosted the very first 2016 Apprentice Day at their office in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Owner and skilled designer, Travis Farley, showed his two apprentices the art and business of graphic design, branding, and printing. He assigned his two apprentices, Gabe and Bryce, the responsibility of designing their own business card. You can read the full story, see photos and videos at ApprenticeDay.org/news.

This is a year-round program and 100% free for kids, their families, and the businesses. The organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit that is solely funded by the donations of participants and outside donors that enjoy and take heart in the stories of success that the youth and the employers experience. If you are a youth, please visit ApprenticeDay.org for one-day job opportunities. Here are some of the latest listings:

• Monday, Oct 31: Experience a day in the Life of Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and others at Greenbrier Physicians
• Monday, Nov 7: Learn how to Run a CrossFit Gym & Coach a Class
• Thursday, Nov 10: Learn about Journalism, Graphic Design, and running an entertainment paper at HashtagWV (formerly LBSPY).
• Monday, Nov 14: Learn Small Business & Retail at the Front Porch
• Thursday, Dec 1: Learn about Marketing, Fundraising, & Special Event Planning at Carnegie Hall
• Thursday, Dec 15: Learn Engineering at the Greenbrier Resort
• Thursday, Dec 15: Learn about Housekeeping at the Greenbrier Resort
• Thursday, Dec 15: Learn about the Sports & Recreation Industry at the Greenbrier
• Thursday, Dec 15: Learn about Hospitality/Front Desk at the Greenbrier Resort
• Coming soon: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Coming soon: Greenbrier Technical Services
• Coming soon: WVSOM
• Coming in January: Appalachian Electronic Instruments
• Coming in January: Travis Farley Design

Apprentice Day is constantly growing and evolving. It is seeking more employers across West Virginia and across the United States. Employer participation and publicity by Apprentice Day is free. All Apprentice Day visits, apprenticeships and mentoring programs are documented and potentially publicized by Apprentice Day staff and volunteers. They take photos and video, which are promoted via National Apprentice Day’s social media, articles, press releases, and newsletters. Following them on Facebook or subscribing to their channel on Youtube is an easy way to see the latest stories and videos. They value their relationships with employers because they are the foundation to helping the youth. National Apprentice Day is grateful for their employers as they are taking the time to give back to the next generation.

National Apprentice Day is looking for ambitious volunteers. The organization, led by single mother entrepreneur Christina Entenmann, recognizes achievement and give letters of recommendation for everyone that helps the cause. If you would like to volunteer, you can start today by spreading the word! Tell your friends, co-workers, and family about this free program. Help them recruit employers, donors, and youth apprentices. You can also call your local schools and let them know about this program. Another way you can greatly help is by working on site during the Apprentice Day visits. Volunteers are needed to meet and greet apprentices at employer locations and help guide them through the day. They are looking for people interested in taking photos and / or videos to help tell the story about the apprentices and the businesses that helping them. Photos, videos and write up articles will be used to spread the word. This is a great opportunity for an aspiring student or entrepreneur to build their personal portfolio. ApprenticeDay.org/Volunteer for more information, like the youth apprentices it can be a career boosting opportunity beyond anything you’ve imagined.

With the help of National Apprentice Day, today’s youth can realize that dreams are attainable regardless of income, race, gender, educational performance, impairment, and disability. For more information, visit ApprenticeDay.org or call 1-888-B-DREAM’N.

– HashtagWV #83, November 2016.