At least 10,000 people turn 65 every day and many are leaving the workforce. Currently, the number of people leaving the workforce is greater than those who are entering it. Partners tell us that finding qualified and skilled workers are one of the top challenges to running a business.

What is your Chamber doing to help address that need? Introducing the Midlands Youth Apprenticeship program (MYA). The Midlands Youth Apprenticeship (MYA) is a program which is designed to help create a talent pipeline for area businesses while creating a viable work place path for students after high school.

Students involved in the Midlands Youth Apprenticeship Program take normal high school classes and at the same time attend Midlands Technical College two to three days a week in dual enrollment classes. At the end of a two-year program, students will have earned a high school diploma, certification in a specific field from Midlands Tech, credentialing from the U.S. Department of Labor and two years of paid work experience. The businesses who participate in this program will have created a worker who is ready on Day One to work in the specialized positions that their company requires.

On January 23, 2019, MYA held its first signing day with eight student apprentices and three businesses participating. Prisma Health, Nephron Pharmaceuticals and LTC Health Solutions are the pioneers in this program. Each business has several youth apprentices who are busy at work, attending high school and taking courses at MTC.

MYA is a true collaboration between businesses, college, and secondary education Partners. "South Carolina boasts one of the fastest growing apprenticeship programs across the nation and Apprenticeship Carolina has played a key role in this phenomenal growth," said Dr. Tim Hardee, president of the SC Technical College System, which houses the internationally-renowned program. "We made a conscious decision to break down the traditional barriers to apprenticeship. Partnerships like the Midlands Youth Apprenticeship Program show that we're redefining a centuries old concept and making it something that has real value for business and industry."

The second class of MYA is in the planning stages now. If your business is interested in participating, please contact Chelsey Allen, Director of Talent Development at callen@columbiachamber.com or (803) 733-1133.