From left: Andrew Norton, program coordinator Teal Gaylord, Scott Murn and Ariette Parkison

Raymond Corp has openings for two more youth apprentices in the next school year in a continuation of a program that has involved dozens of students since 1991.

The materials handling equipment firm recognised high school seniors in the program on 21 May.

Over 12 months, Raymond committed the equivalent of five part-time employees to the program. Raymond collaborates in the effort with the Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and the Greene School District in New York.

"The program has a profound impact on students by engaging them in opportunities that develop their leadership skills - helping to mould them into professional young adults," says Teal Gaylord, co-ordinator of the program for Raymond. "I encourage more companies to become involved in the youth apprenticeship program with BOCES and take an active role in the professional development of our local students."

Typically, youth apprentices work between 10-20 hours per week for 40 weeks at minimum wage as part of their on-the-job training during the school year, says Sandy Watkins, supervisor of the career development centre for BOCES in Binghamton, New York.

"They work at least two hours per day and, on holidays and vacations, can work full time if they like," Gaylord notes. "In some cases when apprentices attend colleges locally, they stay for four years - working more hours once they start college and leave high school. The areas they work in vary depending on the student and their areas of interest. Throughout their apprenticeship, students may go from one department to another, experiencing different roles throughout different departments."

Other benefits for students include receiving three to five credits in career and technical education, a technical endorsement on their high school diploma and one college credit for successful completion of an online "electronic portfolio" course offered through the fast-forward program of Broome Community College.

Gaylord notes that many students pursue careers in the areas they are exposed to while working at Raymond. These include marketing, sales, human resources and production.
Youth apprentices take school courses that pertain to their position at Raymond, and they learn technical skills from their job coach/mentor who is responsible for directing and supervising them. "Raymond has had numerous mentors assigned to youth apprentices over the years, and all have been excellent role models," Watkins says.

Raymond holds an annual apprenticeship senior night following each term. In presentations, student apprentices share the skills they have acquired, often relating to workflow process, quality improvement and materials handling.

Raymond says it has hired many past participants as full-time employees.
Greene-based forklift designer and manufacturer Raymond is an operation of Toyota Material Handling North America.