Empowering youth through career exploration

Nestled in the heart of the Newfield community, The Learning Web is a nonprofit organization passionately committed to empowering youth to explore diverse career paths. The Youth Exploration Program is meticulously tailored to align with the interests of the young participants. This program doesn’t just stop at career exploration tours; it offers apprenticeships, community service opportunities, and robust career development support for young individuals aged 11  to 21.  

Since its inception in 1972, The Learning Web has been a pioneer in Tompkins County, being one of the first programs nationwide to integrate apprenticeships with mentorship. The mission? Ensuring every youth makes a smooth, successful transition from adolescence to adulthood. 

 How does this program work? There are two main paths to choose from: tours and apprenticeships. For those who are looking to get a quick industry overview, tours are the way to go. Participants get to chat with professionals, learn about specific jobs, and soak up valuable life advice – all in a compact 30 to 60-minute session. 

On the other hand, those ready for a deeper dive will find that apprenticeships offer a more immersive experience. This involves a long-term commitment of up to 40 hours, during which participants are paired with a mentor. Together, the youth will work, learn, and grow, acquiring job-specific skills and a comprehensive understanding of the industry. 

The program is a visible presence in several community locations, including the Ithaca Library, Ithaca Bakery, Cudlin’s Meat Market, and Gemm Shop.

“We get youth who want to meet a pro basketball player or want to be a pro gamer,” said David Grant, a staff member who works with Newfield youth.“I say, ‘Well, let’s find something that’s related to that,’ then I do my best to do that.”

Program participation varies throughout the year, with active numbers fluctuating between 20 and 100. According to Grant, the summer season tends to be particularly busy, with many young people seeking meaningful ways to spend their school break. 

Before embarking on this exciting journey, each participant sits down with a staff member to create a “learning agreement.” This involves discussing short- and long-term goals, identifying the skills they wish to acquire and setting expectations for their mentor and apprenticeship experience.

“Our program allows youth at a younger age to experience more opportunities so that they can better prepare themselves why they are going out on their own,” Grant said. “It gives youth the idea that they can do more than what other people think they can do.”

The Learning Web’s Youth Exploration Program bends and flexes according to the unique interests and needs of each participant. It puts the youths’ passions at the heart of the experience, making it a truly personalized adventure. 

“Youth learn the hard skills of the job and at the same time learn the soft skills,” Grant said. “They learn how to show up on time, how to do a timesheet and how to communicate.”

The apprenticeships are hands-on and practical. They ensure the youth are exposed to jobs and industries where a degree isn’t a prerequisite. The program is about exploring passions and identifying skills that can be honed over time. 

In one of Grant’s recent experiences, he accompanied a youth on an apprenticeship at a local meat market in Newfield. Despite the industry’s fading appeal among the youth, there was a spark of interest. This young person was eager to delve into the intricacies of the trade and learn what goes into the industry instead of being pushed away by outsiders’ opinions.

While The Learning Web’s resources might not allow the organization to provide stipends for all of their mentors, they hope the extra pair of hands from the youth can ease a mentor’s workload, making it a win-win situation. 

After the 40-hour apprenticeship, the youth and mentor are encouraged to continue their association, even as the program takes a step back. As in the case of the meat market apprenticeship, a bond formed during the program endured afterward. 

While similar programs exist in schools, The Learning Web stands apart. Grant explains that The Learning Web offers experiences not available in other programs because they have to select from a set list of occupations. The Youth Exploration Program has the freedom to explore various industries to match the youths’ aspirations. 

In addition to the apprenticeship program, The Learning Web runs a volunteer community service program. Since its inception in 1992, this summer program has been hugely successful. Grant and his team organize a variety of volunteer opportunities for the youth. 

This year, the enthusiastic group of young volunteers cleaned books at the Tompkins County Library, performed yard work at the city cemetery, discovered the beauty of Cayuga Lake and explored the Cayuga Nature Center. It’s all about giving back while learning and growing. 

“The program is intended to highlight the volunteerism,” Grant said. “Highlight what it is, what it means to be a good volunteer and how to help out the community they live in.”

The Learning Web’s doors are always open to new youth. The apprenticeship program runs throughout the year, offering continuous opportunities to learn and grow. For anyone seeking a more flexible commitment and a way to give back to the community, the volunteer program might be a perfect match.

“We’re always looking for new participants, and we do that by going into the schools,” Grant said.