Frequently Asked Questions
Students
Whether you take part in an apprenticeship through school or sign up for occupational skills training after graduation, our programs set you up for a career in a field with competitive wages that can support yourself—and a family—for the long run.
Our program offerings are always evolving to meet the needs of our students, the community, and our partners. Current and potential industries include Healthcare, IT, HVAC and Construction, Business and Finance, Manufacturing, Transportation and Logistics, Education, Automotive Tech, and Public Safety. Visit Apprenticeships and Grads2Careers to see current program options.
Within those fields, you will be prepared for an in-demand entry-level position (except for Alumni Track, which will offer opportunities for career growth). Depending on the program, you might become a Certified Nursing Assistant, teacher’s aid, Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician, auto technician, or cybersecurity assistant, among others. Job placement assistance and job coaching are offered as part of programming.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue to grow!
Apprenticeships and occupational skills training opportunities offered through CareerBound will result in one or more industry-recognized certifications. Your certification will depend on which field of study you choose, but all require meeting minimum qualifications set by the certification board, which could include completing a minimum number of hours in both in-class and on-site study, as well as passing certification exams.
In-school youth apprenticeships involve at least 125 hours of lessons, usually completed in school, and 450 hours of paid on-the-job training with an employer. You’ll usually start this training during your junior or senior year of high school, and it will be completed when you graduate.
Grads2Careers and Alumni Track occupational skills training opportunities vary in length. Typically, programs range between three weeks and six months, though they may be longer.
All CareerBound programming is FREE for students!
Apprenticeships
All on-the-job hours for apprenticeships are paid, with students earning at least minimum wage ($15 per hour). Apprenticeships typically complete 450 hours with employers — that’s more than $6,000 earned during the program!
Grads2Careers/Stackable Credentials
Some Grads2Careers and Alumni Track occupational skills training programs also provide a stipend or other paid incentive. This varies by program and training provider, but may include incentives for attending each class, upon completion, or something in between. At this time, payment for Grads2Careers and Alumni Track training is not guaranteed.
All Grads2Careers and Alumni Track courses are free for students, and you may be eligible for transportation assistance, child care support, or other services to help ensure your continued access to the programs.
Academic Acceleration
Academic Acceleration is also an earn-as-you-learn opportunity. Currently, this program is only offered over the summer months. Students will earn $15 per hour.
Each training element—In-School Apprenticeships, Grads2Careers, and Alumni Track—have different eligibility requirements based on where you are in your education journey. For example, apprenticeships are for current high school students. Grads2Careers is for recent high school graduates.
Within each element, there are different career tracks to choose from, like healthcare, IT, construction, and early childhood education. Each career track will also have its own requirements, which may include meeting minimum math and reading levels, as determined by an assessment. Our Academic Acceleration element can help you reach the skill level required for your desired track.
For more specific information about eligibility, visit the Apprenticeships, Grads2Careers, or Stackable Credentials pages.
Each training element has a different process for getting involved as a student. To learn more, please visit the page of the element you wish to apply for!
Students cannot pause their studies in the middle of a program. However, we may be able to help set you up with services that can help you feel less overwhelmed. Whether you are facing transportation or housing issues, are having trouble accessing child care, are feeling unsafe at home, or just need someone to talk to, as a CareerBound student, regardless of which training element you are taking part in, you are eligible for coordinated well-being support. Students in need of support should reach out directly to a staff member, or please contact us here.
Providers
We will periodically release requests for proposals when gaps in training providers arise. We will share all openings on our Newsroom page. Additionally, you can fill out our [interest form] to be added to a waitlist of providers. If you have specific questions about criteria we seek from training providers, please contact [email protected].
The cost per student depends on factors like the length of training, whether a stipend is included, and the program structure. We work with providers to determine a cost per student based on an approved budget and reimburse expenses accordingly. Please contact us here for program-specific information.
Employers
Hosting a youth apprentice isn’t just an investment in a student—it’s an investment in your business. By participating in CareerBound, you will gain access to motivated young talent ready to learn and contribute. Apprenticeships allow you to shape and train potential future employees in the skills and workplace culture that matter most to your business.
Working with youth apprentices can also strengthen your team’s leadership and mentorship skills while demonstrating your company’s commitment to the local community. The more apprenticeships hosted within Baltimore, the stronger the talent pool becomes.
Apprenticeships require 450 on-the-job hours. As the host employer, you will need to pay apprentices at least minimum wage for these 450 training hours, which comes to a minimum of $6,750 per student (as of April 2025). Additionally, there is an in-kind cost for coaching and mentoring students to help develop their career readiness.
There are no cash incentives for hosting youth apprenticeships at your job site. However, the Maryland Department of Labor offers tax credits for apprenticeships. The department’s navigators can assist you with further information on these incentives.
The best way to share your interest in hosting apprenticeships is to fill out our online interest form. As opportunities to host apprenticeships arise, we will use that form first to reach out to potential employers.
If you have specific questions about whether your organization is the right fit for hosting apprenticeships, or want to better understand expectations as a hosting employer, please contact us here.
Investors
There is no minimum funding commitment—donations and grants of any amount are welcome. CareerBound is a multi-million-dollar collaboration between Baltimore City Public Schools, the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, and Baltimore’s Promise, a local nonprofit. We are always seeking additional funding to support this initiative. To learn more about funding opportunities, please contact us here.
Your investment will support Baltimore City’s young people in high-demand, high-wage careers that pay family-supporting wages. Funding may help cover the costs of student training opportunities, wage incentives, coaching and mentoring, mental healthcare, credential exam fees, and the overall program infrastructure, among other expenses. By investing in CareerBound, you are directly helping to shape the future workforce and strengthen Baltimore’s talent ecosystem.
