b'see if students wanted to pursue a registered apprenticeship inVanNus has found the local business community to be supportive electrical construction.in giving high school students work-based learning experience. VanNus was pleased with the summer internship results, as allEmployers are beginning to understand the importance of nine students continue to work at Ace Electric, with six enrolledinvesting in the students while they are in high school, says as registered apprentices, and seven as dual enrollment studentsVanNus. It is our goal that when they graduate, and even if through Wiregrass Tech. Including high school apprentices, Acethey leave our area, that they are valuable employees in their Electric has 10 registered apprentices enrolled through Wiregrasscommunities.Tech.Part of the Career, Technical, Agricultural Education (CTAE), the The student interns, which are now employees, have been aLowndes High Schools work-based program has experienced a great addition to Ace, says Shanks. We hope many of them willsignificant surge in participation with an increase from 51 to 123 continue with us for a long successful career. students in the past year.VanNus explains that youth apprenticeships have added anotherVanNus says his primary goal is to keep students working layer of opportunities for high school students to complete work- and obtaining the skills needed to succeed in their careers. based learning.Apprenticeships are a good solution for the students and ourGone are the days where a student is taking pathway classes incommunity. When a new industry comes to town, I want them to agriculture and then working in retail, says VanNus. There needsknow we have the workforce, starting with Lowndes High School to be an alignment with what they are studying and where theystudents.are working. 40 SG MAGAZINE| FALL 2019 BUSINESS + CULTURE41'