Today’s young people want something different. Social media has changed the landscape, and it is not going to revert to times of old. Students and parents alike are reconsidering the surging cost of a post-secondary education, particularly a traditional 4-year track, and questioning the viability of such a journey.
Standard non-traditional programs—welding, HVAC, mechanical, etc.—are simply not being viewed as flexible, creative, or lucrative enough. Our youth apprentice program is intended to provide an alternative.
Our objective is to provide students with a new way of viewing their future. We are meeting the demand for an alternative to the norm. Many of the students we work with either don’t want or don’t have access to traditional post-secondary education. Furthermore, they aren’t interested in working in challenging conditions in a more manual labor setting.
They want to choose a different path, one that they feel is more internally rewarding. We strive to provide that alternative while also offering skills that can enhance their financial future.
KYB Youth Apprentices develop real-world work experience and play a pivotal role in the development of our products. During their tenure, youth apprentices learn how to use state-of-the-art cameras and lenses. They gain exclusive access to events where the camera becomes their VIP ticket to entry, increasing their sense of purpose and importance.
We teach the critical skill of responsibility; time management, equipment management, and leadership engagement skills are developed as part of the program. Additionally, video editing, social media management, and eCommerce skills are all learned through the program.
COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS
We partner with various organizations to support this initiative. It is critical for this program to provide benefits to students who would otherwise not have this opportunity. Our partner organizations and schools help to identify candidates for these roles. We are actively seeking to expand our partnerships to further support this essential apprenticeship platform for young people.
Frequently, these are students who come from challenging environments and may lack significant financial or familial support. This makes the stipend, though modest, a valuable component of the program. Earning while learning is a powerful experience for these students during such a critical time in their lives.
We encourage students to continue their education beyond high school. Ideally, each apprentice would pursue a degree in the visual arts discipline. However, we understand that this may not be the choice or reality for every student. Therefore, our objective as an organization is to equip apprentices with both skills and equipment, enabling them to launch into an entrepreneurial pathway at the end of their tenure.
Flexibility:
Another challenge often faced by this segment of students is capacity. Many struggle with transportation, and some are unfortunately forced into a role of caretaker for their family. Others may not desire to learn the more technical skills of editing or eCommerce but instead just want to focus on camera skills.
To better serve the needs of each student, we aim to meet the student on their terms. Unlike other programs with rigid terms of completion and success criteria, we create a plan catered specifically to each individual student’s expectations and circumstances. This flexibility allows the apprentice to feel more empowered and engaged in their learning experience.
As noted, we want to expand the Youth Apprenticeship program. We also want to build personal sustainability. The program is intended to leave the apprentice well-equipped to move forward in their own path after completing the program. All apprentices should leave with enough skills and gear to pursue their own path, whether that be a film school degree, a certificate program, or developing their own brand in a new media environment where the visual arts are a core skill.
This requires capital. In general, the capital required to support a youth apprentice consists of:
For roughly $15,000, you can play a vital role in developing critical skills for young people seeking a different path to success and achievement. Your contribution builds community by connecting talent and technology. Your investment builds character and expands the arts. Your generosity will result in young people spending time telling the story of their communities and celebrating the successes of their teammates, families, friends, and neighborhoods. Your gift will lift up young people who might otherwise never have the chance to breathe in rare air.