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| Main Office 515 W. Seneca St. Ithaca, NY 14850 Telephone: 607.275.0122 Fax: 607.275.0312 Youth Outreach 330 W. State St. Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone: 607.272.8162 Fax: 607.272.8952 |
Community & Career Exploration & Apprenticeship Program (CCEAP) - Mentors
It's about sharing your expertise, your inspiration, and your workplace.
Mentors start youth on the path to a dream.
Mentors open doors into the work world, making it possible for the apprentice to go further and faster.
Mentors and apprentices have things to give each other. We all learn better when we are useful and appreciated for what we already know; apprentices learn as they provide meaningful service to their mentor in exchange for the time mentors spend with them.
Mentors enjoy the youthful perspective an apprentice brings to the work.
Giving a little time makes a difference that lasts a lifetime.
We welcome all youth- our only requirement is that a youth resides in Tompkins County and wants to learn.
Our services are free-to the apprentice and mentor. Apprentices help with their mentor's work in exchange for the time and energy the mentor spends with them. There is no exchange of money. |
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2 ways to be involved-
Host an interactive tour:Individual or small groups of young people explore their interests by visiting your workplace with their Learning Web Coordinator. They meet and talk with you as you work. Young people get a first hand look into your workplace, and have a chance to ask you, the expert, their questions:
Host a motivated apprentice at your work place:
You become a mentor by volunteering your time, sharing your expertise, your enthusiasm, and your work world with a young person, your apprentice. Youth apprentices gain hands-on training and experience at your workplace. You and your apprentice decide how much time to commit to the apprenticeship each week and how long you want to be involved.We all have community in common. . .
Usually between 2 and 8 hours per week. The Learning Web Coordinator will help you and your apprentice agree on a schedule but you both will need to make a solid schedule so that you know when to expect to see each other. After school or weekends are popular times to work at an apprenticeship site.
How long does an apprenticeship last?
It can last from 2 months to 2 years or more…or anywhere in between. You and your apprentice decide how long to apprentice and the Learning Web Coordinator will help you agree on a time frame.
What can I expect from my Learning Web Coordinator?
We try to arrange an apprenticeship that works out for both mentor and apprentice. Learning Web Coordinators orient and support mentors on an individual basis, and monitor sites regularly. Mentors receive individual coaching and support as the need arises or if requested by the mentor. There are no mandatory group meetings. The Coordinators will make contact in person at the worksite or via the phone or email at times that are mutually convenient. We ask that you contact your Learning Web Coordinator to discuss any issues regarding the apprenticeship. The Coordinator will quickly address and resolve the issues. If that isn't possible, the apprenticeship is ended in a way that allows all parties to feel respected. If it's a case of the youth deciding that they aren't interested in the field of work, we feel it is just as valuable for a youth to find out what they don't like as it is to find out what they do like. The learning experience that results from problems at the apprenticeship can be positive, life long lessons for a young person.
Does my apprentice get to do real work at the apprenticeship?
Yes, an apprenticeship isn't just sitting and watching. You will teach skills so that your apprentice can help with real work. Sometimes, depending on your apprentice's age and the type of work that is being explored, there may be labor laws that prevent your apprentice from doing some tasks. The Learning Web Coordinator will help you and your apprentice decide what work will be done.
What about insurance?
The Learning Web maintains a private group insurance policy through which each apprentice has some coverage against physical injuries or disability, at no cost to the mentor. We require the apprentice's parent/caregiver to sign a form releasing the mentor and The Learning Web from liability in the event of an accident. We also talk about safety precautions with apprentices and mentors and expect mentors to incorporate safety training as appropriate to the field.
How does transportation work?
The Learning Web Coordinator will provide transportation to and from the tour site. Usually the Learning Web Coordinator meets the youth at school and takes them home after the tour. The youth and their parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from the apprenticeship. The Learning Web Cooridnator assists them in investigating transportation options such as bus service. The Coordinator will provide transportation to the first meeting with a possible mentor. Once the apprenticeship begins, the youth is responsible for transportation. If transportation becomes a problem, it is important to let the Coordinator know so that the issue can be resolved.
Can a youth do a tour or start an apprenticeship anytime?
Yes, our services are year round and not tied to the school cycle.
How do I sign up?
Give us a call at 275-0122 or email us at info@learningweb.org . A Learning Web Coordinator will contact you to set up a time to meet and talk about volunteering. We ask mentors to complete a brief Mentor Application and to submit 3 personal references.
You become a mentor by volunteering your time, sharing your expertise, your enthusiasm, and your work world with a young person, your apprentice. Youth apprentices gain hands-on training and experience at your workplace. You and your apprentice decide how much time to commit to the apprenticeship each week and how long you want to be involved.
We all have community in common. . .
our community is our classroom.
What do you teach?
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much time does an apprenticeship take?Usually between 2 and 8 hours per week. The Learning Web Coordinator will help you and your apprentice agree on a schedule but you both will need to make a solid schedule so that you know when to expect to see each other. After school or weekends are popular times to work at an apprenticeship site.
How long does an apprenticeship last?
It can last from 2 months to 2 years or more…or anywhere in between. You and your apprentice decide how long to apprentice and the Learning Web Coordinator will help you agree on a time frame.
What can I expect from my Learning Web Coordinator?
We try to arrange an apprenticeship that works out for both mentor and apprentice. Learning Web Coordinators orient and support mentors on an individual basis, and monitor sites regularly. Mentors receive individual coaching and support as the need arises or if requested by the mentor. There are no mandatory group meetings. The Coordinators will make contact in person at the worksite or via the phone or email at times that are mutually convenient. We ask that you contact your Learning Web Coordinator to discuss any issues regarding the apprenticeship. The Coordinator will quickly address and resolve the issues. If that isn't possible, the apprenticeship is ended in a way that allows all parties to feel respected. If it's a case of the youth deciding that they aren't interested in the field of work, we feel it is just as valuable for a youth to find out what they don't like as it is to find out what they do like. The learning experience that results from problems at the apprenticeship can be positive, life long lessons for a young person.
Does my apprentice get to do real work at the apprenticeship?
Yes, an apprenticeship isn't just sitting and watching. You will teach skills so that your apprentice can help with real work. Sometimes, depending on your apprentice's age and the type of work that is being explored, there may be labor laws that prevent your apprentice from doing some tasks. The Learning Web Coordinator will help you and your apprentice decide what work will be done.
What about insurance?
The Learning Web maintains a private group insurance policy through which each apprentice has some coverage against physical injuries or disability, at no cost to the mentor. We require the apprentice's parent/caregiver to sign a form releasing the mentor and The Learning Web from liability in the event of an accident. We also talk about safety precautions with apprentices and mentors and expect mentors to incorporate safety training as appropriate to the field.
How does transportation work?
The Learning Web Coordinator will provide transportation to and from the tour site. Usually the Learning Web Coordinator meets the youth at school and takes them home after the tour. The youth and their parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from the apprenticeship. The Learning Web Cooridnator assists them in investigating transportation options such as bus service. The Coordinator will provide transportation to the first meeting with a possible mentor. Once the apprenticeship begins, the youth is responsible for transportation. If transportation becomes a problem, it is important to let the Coordinator know so that the issue can be resolved.
Can a youth do a tour or start an apprenticeship anytime?
Yes, our services are year round and not tied to the school cycle.
How do I sign up?
Give us a call at 275-0122 or email us at info@learningweb.org . A Learning Web Coordinator will contact you to set up a time to meet and talk about volunteering. We ask mentors to complete a brief Mentor Application and to submit 3 personal references.
Tips for a Successful Apprenticeship
- Get to know your Learning Web Coordinator so that you feel comfortable contacting them when necessary.
- Introduce your apprentice to other employees and communicate what role each person plays. It's also helpful to let your apprentice know about some of the "informal culture" of the workplace so that they understand and feel included.
- Hold high expectations- apprentices should be expected to adhere to the same basic norms that paid employees follow. The difference is that the apprentice may need coaching about the norms and some prompting to follow them.
- Let your apprentice know what you expect---set clear, explicity stated goals and expectations.
- Attendance; what to do if they must be late or absent.
- Appropriate dress, including any safety equipment they may need.
- Use of phones/cell phones while at the apprenticeship site.
And any other specific guidelines of your work place. - Create roles and duties for your apprentice- tasks will most likely change and grow as the apprentice learns the ropes.
- Give your apprentice clear instructions for each task, especially unfamiliar ones.
- Observe your apprentice while they work, and give constructive feedback about any mistakes. Review and retrain them regularly if needed.
- Encourage your apprentice to let you know if there's a problem or if directions are unclear. Make sure your apprentice feels free to speak up.
- Feel free to contact your Learning Web Coordinator with ANY questions or concerns. It is usually much more effective to deal with an issue when it first pops up. We welcome hearing from you!
Click here to download forms such as a Mentor Application or Program Evaluation.
Learning Web Partners & Sponsors