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Mason Ratcliff formally became the latest Youth Apprentice from Caroline County Public Schools in a signing ceremony on June 25. Ratcliff will work at Rick Breeding Excavating, Denton, to learn and practice his mechanic skills by working on trucks and heavy equipment.
Ratcliff is a rising senior at North Caroline High School. He has been taking classes through the Automotive Program at the Caroline Career & Technology Center under instructor Kevin Cahall.
Ratcliff is the fourth CCPS youth apprentice to work at Rick Breeding Excavating. In fact, the first youth apprentice to sign with the company, Ryan Snyder, talked with Ratcliff about the benefits of the program and the good opportunity. The networking and advocacy of current and previous youth apprentices to students considering the program is an added bonus that Eric Cook, Coordinator of Career Readiness with Caroline County Public Schools, had not expected.
Ratcliff said that he sees this as a chance to “work with my hands in a way that impacts the world.” Ratcliff’s work and education in mechanics are valuable to Rick Breeding Excavating to keep equipment on the road. Breeding commented, “we are plenty busy,” and noted that the shortage of trained mechanics can impact the core business of excavation and site preparation. He appreciates that the youth apprenticeship program provides his business, which has been operational since 1981, with employees.
Ratcliff will continue his education at CCPS in the fall, and must meet certain academic, training, and skills requirements to continue as a Youth Apprentice.
The Caroline County Public School Apprenticeship Program (#EarnandLearn) provides students with paid, mentored, real-world learning opportunities. The program is open to Juniors and Seniors ages 16+.
The Apprenticeship Program includes one credit of relevant classroom education and a minimum of 450 hours of PAID work experience. The sponsoring business works with the school system to match qualifying students with work experiences, and agrees to terms of the Youth Apprenticeship program.
