Apprenticeship Program
The Railroad Street Apprenticeship Program (RAP) represents the next step in RSYP’s evolution of matching the inspirations of young people to the resources of the community. The goals of RAP are to meet the unmet vocational and educational needs of South Berkshire youth who are at risk of dropping out, and to prepare them for the workplace.
RAP currently offers four components:
- School-day individual internship placements
- The after school Culinary Arts Program, Levels 1 and 2 in conjunction with Pearl’s Restaurant and the Red Lion Inn
- The after school Cosmetology 101 course at Michele’s Salon and Day Spa
- An international business apprenticeship at a farm in Montevideo, Uruguay
RAP matches high school students, graduates and dropouts from Monument Mountain and Mount Everett Regional High Schools with professionals in South Berkshire county for work-place mentoring and after-school vocational programs.
Examples of individual apprenticeship placements have included a homeless shelter, a veterinarian’s office, and a landscape architect.
Cosmetology 101 and the Culinary eight-week after school courses culminate in events and dinners open to the public. All RAP participants are eligible for high school credit.
Berkshire Culinary Arts Program
The Berkshire Culinary Arts Program, begun in winter 2006, allows youth from throughout South County to work with area chefs for professional culinary training. The series of six weekly sessions end with three weeks of community dinners overseen by guest chefs working with the students to prepare gourmet meals for the public. The final dinners at Pearl’s Restaurant have become sold-out events.
The dinners are hosted by guest chefs who offer their expertise and varied cooking styles to the students. Guest chefs in Spring 2009 included: Level 2 class under the supervision of Eric Morse of The Red Lion Inn, Christopher Brooks of Blantyre, and Barbara Lynch of No.9 Park, B&G Oyster Bar, Sportello, Drink, and The Butcher Shop in Boston.
Cosmetology 101 at MSDS Program
Hosted by Michele’s Salon and Day Spa, Cosmetology 101 is an after-school program that serves as an inspiration to the hair and beauty industry. Curriculum include elements of customer service, identifying and meeting customer needs, styling techniques and a basic introduction to salon operation and maintenance. Contact your guidance counselor or RSYP to apply.
All 2008-2009 participants were invited to participated in the production of our first Fashion Show and Runway Expo in April 09. Produced by Ruralliance Productions, RSYP partnered with Michele’s, Sideshow Clothing Company and many others to hold this incredible event. Watch the video, edited by Eric Brenner:
Individual Apprenticeships
If you have a passion that you would like to explore, RSYP can help you find a community partner who will mentor you in their workplace. High school students should contact their guidance counselors for more information, and young people out of school should contact RSYP directly for an application.
This program is supported by the Berkshire Bank Foundation, Green Foundation, Lennox Foundation and Massachusetts Promise Fellowship’s Americorps program.