WALDORF, Md. – The Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) is a career and technical education (CTE) completer program that gives high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to “earn and learn” while gaining valuable experience as a youth apprentice.
A group of Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) high school students are amping up their work experience this school year. Through the program, CCPS seniors gain experience in a workplace they are interested in entering following graduation. The program allows students to take a couple of classes at school before heading to work for the rest of the day.
“Students participating in the Apprenticeship Maryland Program leave [the program] with a toolbox of skills they can use whether they pursue fulltime work, trade school or a four-year degree,” Sandy Rooney, CTE content specialist with the school system, said. “For some, the apprenticeship solidifies their career choice and for others, it is a way to explore a field before committing to it.”
CCPS students start the program in the summer or fall of their senior year. They must complete at least 450 hours of work-based training under the supervision of an eligible employer and at least one year of related instruction.
Among the career pathways students enter are information technology, health and biomedical sciences, manufacturing, construction and design, and banking and finance. Students in the 2025-2026 AMP group — who applied before a mid-June deadline — were hired to work for offices within CCPS and the Charles County Government.
Students participating in this year’s program include:
- Morgan Davis, North Point High School, planning and growth management engineering apprentice with the county government.
- Jacob Golder, La Plata High School, HVAC technician apprentice with the county government.
- Kathryn Good, Maurice J. McDonough High School, education assistance apprentice with CCPS.
- Marcus Jones, Thomas Stone High School, meter technician apprentice with the county government.
- Maria Marquez, St. Charles High School, human resources apprentice with CCPS.
- Natalie Moore, McDonough, education assistant with CCPS.
- Denzel Peter-Thomas, Westlake High School, instructional technology apprentice with CCPS.
- Jason Rodriguez, McDonough, food and nutrition apprentice with CCPS.
- James Smith, Thomas Stone, computer analyst apprentice with CCPS.
- Madelyn Sopher, Henry E. Lackey High School, education assistant apprentice with CCPS.
- Anthony Williams, North Point, electrical technician apprentice with the county government.
- Joshua Wilson, La Plata, education assistant apprentice with CCPS.
The program was developed in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Department of Labor (MDoL) to provide students a unique opportunity to “earn and learn.”
To learn more about the Apprenticeship Maryland Program, including how to become an eligible employer and what students need to know before applying, visit www.ccboe.com.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 39 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).