Carroll County is experiencing transformative growth and opportunity. Jobs are increasing in high-demand sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, and construction, both nationally and locally. Transportation and manufacturing are also driving growth in the county.
With an unemployment rate of 2.8%, well below the national average, Carroll County is leveraging innovative initiatives to recruit and retain local talent.
Apprenticeships have re-emerged as a dynamic and strategic tool for workforce development. In Carroll County, 194 active apprentices are currently collaborating with 11 local employers. This growth highlights the mutual benefits: employers develop a workforce tailored to their needs, while apprentices gain valuable hands-on experience and education.
This “learn and earn” opportunity can reinvigorate under tapped talent. Currently, only 62% of the labor force is actively participating. For these potential workers, financial constraints make it difficult to participate in training or education. Costs such as childcare, transportation, and even meals during training can be prohibitive for those living paycheck to paycheck. Available stipends or small grants bridge this gap, enabling participants to fully engage in training. Apprenticeships, by allowing individuals to earn while they learn, make it feasible for them to enter the workforce without sacrificing financial stability.
Youth employment programs, such as the Summer Youth Employment Program through Carroll County Workforce Development (CCWD), serve Carroll County youth who have never worked or who have one or more barriers to employment. The summer program participants are 16 to 18 years old. CCWD offers career guidance and opportunities for youth to gain meaningful work experience onsite with Carroll businesses while getting paid through the county’s workforce grants – eliminating the financial burden for the business partners. This program saw a significant increase in participation, with a 131% rise in youth participants and an 87% increase in participating businesses.
Many participants reported feeling better prepared for future job opportunities and interviews. The impact of such programs highlights the importance of creating accessible pathways to employment, particularly for young individuals who face challenges in entering the workforce.
The program’s expansion allowed for the hiring of two college-student interns, further enhancing support for participants. Future goals include strengthening partnerships with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and expanding collaboration with the Division of Rehabilitation Services to include more summer work program participants in CCWD learning experiences.
Local partnerships among education and human service agencies, community organizations, and government arms, are instrumental in supporting talent development initiatives. Carroll County is rallying around employers and job seekers to create and share opportunities for meaningful careers, skilled workforces, and economic resiliency.
The Justice System to Careers Initiative (JSCI), for example, is a joint effort between the Department of Juvenile Services and Carroll Community College. This program supports justice-involved youth by providing them with career pathways, inviting systemically overlooked talent into the labor pool. Research shows that youth convicted at or before age 17 often face lower employment rates and slower wage growth even a decade later. Programs like JSCI help address this disparity, while employers can benefit from incentives for hiring justice-involved individuals.
To ensure workforce development remains effective, it is crucial that educational offerings are aligned with industry needs. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future refines curriculum to ensure training is relevant and up to date, addressing both student and employer needs directly. The Maryland Blueprint is a state-wide initiative aimed at transforming education to better prepare students for the workforce, emphasizing career readiness, skills development, and alignment with industry needs. Industry feedback is essential for tailoring skill development to meet job market demands.
We celebrate National Apprenticeship Week during November 17-23, 2024, to highlight how apprenticeships can meet the needs of employers by providing a skilled, adaptable workforce. These programs allow employers to reduce hiring risks by cultivating talent in-house, ensuring that employees are well-prepared for specific roles. They also contribute to growing a skilled local workforce, which is essential for driving economic growth and fostering innovation. National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to showcase these successes and encourage more businesses to invest in apprenticeship opportunities.
For employers considering apprenticeships, a membership with the Carroll Technology & Innovation Council (CTIC) provides education and guidance on how to effectively develop and integrate innovative hiring and training practices. CTIC offers support, networking, and resources that help businesses capture the value of building a skilled workforce in-house, enabling them to grow their capacity and meet their specific needs for talent development. As a founding organization of the Maryland Apprenticeship Connector and a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador, CTIC can recruit into statewide connections and access incredible incentives for apprenticeship sponsors.
The collective efforts across Carroll County’s workforce development programs and the State’s resources reflect the powerful ecosystem supporting businesses and job seekers. These initiatives are helping to build a local talent pipeline and enhance capacity for innovative work.
For more information on a membership with CTIC, call 570-881-9230.
