Community & Career Exploration & Apprenticeship Program (CCEAP) - Parents

It's about your child and your child's interests

Working with an adult expert who shares their interests.
Mentors spark interests and develop skills and character and inspire in youth a life-long interest in learning.

Learning about the work world and mastering the skills needed to find and keep a job.
Mentors provide apprenticeship-related feedback and guidance in a "non-parental" role.

Gaining real world experience for resumes or college applications.
Mentors can be a great reference for jobs or college applications.

3 ways to explore:

Tours and job shadowing:
Your child visits people who are doing the kind of work that matches your child's personal work (or hobby) interests. A Learning Web Coordinator accompanies your child on tours/visits of various places where they meet and talk with people engaged in a particular field of work. Your child gets a first hand look into a workplace, a chance to ask the expert any questions:
Apprenticeships:
Your child becomes an apprentice and spends time learning from an expert, their mentor. Learning Web Coordinators find a skilled adult who generously volunteers their time to share their expertise, their enthusiasm, and their work world with your child. Youth are engaged in the work place, gaining hands-on training and experience. Your child decides how much time to commit to the apprenticeship each week and how long they want to be involved. After school or weekends are popular times to work at an apprenticeship site.

Community service projects:
Your child joins other middle school youth to make a difference helping the community. After exploring what problems exist, the group decides on projects that help solve community issues. Some groups have prepared food for the Loaves and Fishes meal program, some have exercised animals at the SPCA, and others have maintained trails for the Finger Lakes Land Trust, to name a few projects.

Here are some websites that may be useful to your child as they step out into the world of work:

CareerZone
CareerZone is the place for youth to learn about their skills and talents and to explore many exciting careers in New York State.
www.nycareerzone.org

Ithaca City Youth Bureau
Help in getting part and full time summer jobs, job referrals, job search assistance.
www.cityofithaca.org

Job LINK Youth Program
Office of Employment & Training. Youth receive training, subsidized work experience, job search assistance, education/career counseling and income improvement planning.
www.tompkinsworkforceny.org

Click here to download forms such as Time Sheets, Permission Slips and Program Evaluations.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How much time does an apprenticeship take?
Usually between 2 and 8 hours per week. The Learning Web Coordinator will help your child and the mentor agree on a schedule, but your child will need to make a solid schedule so that your mentor knows when to expect them.

How long does an apprenticeship last?
It can last from 2 months to 2 years or more…or anywhere in between. Your child decides how long to apprentice and the Learning Web Coordinator will help your child and the mentor agree on a time frame.

Where will my child be working?
We will match your child with a volunteer adult mentor who is a professional in your child's area of interest. Volunteer mentors are recruited carefully. Every mentor must complete a Mentor Application and supply references that are checked by staff. Learning Web staff are expected to orient and support mentors, and monitor sites regularly. Mentors receive individual training and support on topics including how to offer constructive feedback, problem-solving, appropriate expectations and boundaries. The majority of apprentices work with mentors at the mentor's business. Exceptions might be for more "hobby" type matches where the pair work at the mentor's home. In these cases, we ask that parents meet with prospective mentors beforehand to make sure the situation feels comfortable. We welcome and encourage parents to introduce themselves to mentors and to stop in to say hello when they drop off or pick up their child.

Does my child get to do real work at the apprenticeship?
Yes, an apprenticeship isn't just sitting and watching. The mentor will teach skills so that your child can help with real work. Sometimes, depending on your child's age and the type of work that is being explored, there may be labor laws that prevent your child from doing some tasks. The Learning Web Coordinator will help your child and the mentor decide what work will be done.

How does transportation work?
The Learning Web Coordinator will provide transportation to and from the tour site. Usually the Learning Web Coordinator meets your child at school and takes your child home after the tour. You and your child will have to arrange transportation to and from the apprenticeship. The Learning Web Coordinator will help you check to see if there is bus service to the site or other options. The Coordinator will provide transportation to the first meeting with a possible mentor. Once your child begins the apprenticeship, you'll need to arrange for transportation. If transportation is a problem, it is important to let the Coordinator know so that an apprenticeship can be sought closer to home, though we cannot guarantee that this would be possible.

Can my child do a tour or start an apprenticeship anytime?
Yes, our services are year round and not tied to the school cycle. At times we may have a wait list for our programs. If this is the case, the Coordinator will try to make their best estimate of how long it will be until they are able to provide services.

Can my child do an apprenticeship and participate in a school sport?
This depends on how often your child's team meets for practices and games. Generally it is difficult to do both because your child needs to commit to a regular schedule when doing an apprenticeship. The Learning Web Coordinator can help your child figure out if sports and an apprenticeship can be combined. If not, your child can always do an apprenticeship after the sports season has ended. We offer apprenticeships all year round!

What if I have concerns about my child's apprenticeship?
We ask that you call your child's Learning Web Coordinator to express your concerns. The Coordinator will try to quickly address and resolve the issues.

How does my child sign up?
Give us a call at 275-0122 or email us at info@learningweb.org. A Learning Web Coordinator will contact your child to set up a time to meet and talk about what your child is interested in checking out.