Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy celebrates pre-apprenticeship graduation – Treasure Coast News

Report on Youth Guidance Pre-Apprenticeship Program’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals
1.0 Introduction: Fostering Localized Sustainable Development
On June 3, the Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy celebrated the graduation of 17 students from its Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship program in Vero Beach. This initiative serves as a powerful local model for achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing targeted vocational training and career pathways for youth. The program directly addresses key global challenges by fostering skills for sustainable economic growth, promoting quality education, and reducing inequalities within the Indian River County community.
2.0 Program Impact on Key SDGs
The pre-apprenticeship program’s structure and outcomes demonstrate a strong alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
2.1 SDG 4: Quality Education and Lifelong Learning
The program provides inclusive and equitable quality education by offering an alternative and practical learning pathway. Over an eight-month period, students completed 144 hours of comprehensive instruction and hands-on training, gaining foundational skills and industry-recognized credentials. This focus on vocational training is a critical component of lifelong learning opportunities for all.
2.2 SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
By equipping youth with marketable skills in high-demand trades, the program directly promotes productive employment and decent work. Graduates are prepared for careers in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, and welding, contributing to sustained and inclusive economic growth. The partnership with Florida Training Services, Inc. provides a seamless transition to full-time job placement and advanced apprenticeship, ensuring graduates have a clear path to economic self-sufficiency.
2.3 SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
A core objective of Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy is to help youth break the cycle of poverty. This program creates tangible opportunities for economic mobility, thereby reducing inequalities. As noted by keynote speaker Dr. David K. Moore, such programs “open doors, create opportunity, and build futures.” The provision of free tools for apprentices, through a partnership with DeWalt, further removes financial barriers to entry, ensuring greater equity.
2.4 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The construction trades are fundamental to building and maintaining resilient infrastructure and sustainable communities. Graduates of this program are the future workforce responsible for developing safe, affordable, and sustainable housing and public works, directly contributing to the goals of SDG 11 in Indian River County.
3.0 Program Outcomes and Certifications
The Class of 2025 achieved significant, industry-recognized milestones that directly enhance their employability and support the aforementioned SDGs:
- OSHA-10 Certification: 17 students
- Forklift Operator’s Permit: 16 students
- First Aid/CPR Certification: 14 students
- NCCER Certification (National Center for Construction Education & Research): 17 students
4.0 SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The success of the program exemplifies the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships. This collaborative effort brings together non-profit organizations, public sector entities, and private foundations to achieve shared development goals.
4.1 Financial Partners
- The Blair Family Foundation
- Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee
- United Way of Indian River County
- The PNC Foundation
- The Bank of America Charitable Foundation
4.2 Community and Implementation Partners
- The Indian River County School District
- Treasure Coast Technical College
- Florida Training Services, Inc.
5.0 Future Expansion and Enhanced SDG Impact
Youth Guidance is poised to amplify its impact through the renovation of its historic facility. This expansion will triple the number of students served annually, significantly scaling the program’s contribution to the SDGs. The diversification into new training sectors, including culinary arts and information technology, will broaden the scope of vocational education (SDG 4) and support a more diverse local economy (SDG 8), further advancing the mission to create positive futures for the youth of Indian River County.
Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
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SDG 1: No Poverty
- The article explicitly states that Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy’s programs are designed to help youth “break the cycle of poverty.” By providing skills and career pathways, the program directly addresses the economic dimension of poverty.
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SDG 4: Quality Education
- The core of the article is about an educational program. It describes the “Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship program,” which provides “144 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training,” leading to “industry-recognized certifications.” This aligns with the goal of providing inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- The program prepares youth for employment in the skilled trades. It offers a direct pathway to an “apprenticeship program, which includes full-time job placement with a local contractor.” This promotes productive employment and decent work for young people.
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SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- By targeting youth (ages 6-24) and providing them with skills, mentorship, and career opportunities, the program works to reduce inequality. It empowers a specific demographic group, giving them tools for economic and social inclusion.
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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
- The article highlights the collaborative nature of the program, listing numerous partners from different sectors. It mentions foundations (The Blair Family Foundation, PNC Foundation), public entities (Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee, The Indian River County School District), civil society organizations (United Way of Indian River County), and private companies (Florida Training Services, Inc.). This exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnerships needed to achieve the SDGs.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
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Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment.
- The article details that the program provides students with “foundational skills across multiple trades, including carpentry, plumbing, electric, HVAC, and welding.” The goal is to equip them with technical and vocational skills for employment and decent jobs.
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Target 8.6: Substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
- The program specifically targets youth and young adults (ages 6-24) and moves them through a structured education and training pipeline. The graduation of 17 students and the pathway to a full-time apprenticeship directly contribute to reducing the number of youth who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
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Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
- The article demonstrates this target in action by listing the diverse group of “Community partners” and financial supporters that make the program possible, including foundations, government committees, non-profits, and educational institutions.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
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Indicators for Target 4.4 (Increase relevant skills):
- The article provides specific, quantifiable data on the skills and certifications acquired by the students, which serve as direct indicators of the program’s success in this area.
- Number of students who earned OSHA-10 Certification: 17
- Number of students who received their Forklift Operator’s Permit: 16
- Number of students who obtained First Aid/CPR Certification: 14
- Number of students who achieved their NCCER Certification: 17
- The article provides specific, quantifiable data on the skills and certifications acquired by the students, which serve as direct indicators of the program’s success in this area.
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Indicators for Target 8.6 (Reduce youth NEET):
- The number of program graduates is a primary indicator.
- Number of students who graduated from the program: 17
- The article also mentions a forward-looking indicator of the program’s expansion and future impact.
- Planned expansion to “triple the number of students served annually.”
- The number of program graduates is a primary indicator.
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Indicators for Target 17.17 (Promote partnerships):
- The existence and number of partnerships are implied indicators. The article names at least eight distinct partners, including foundations, public committees, non-profits, and educational institutions, demonstrating a strong multi-stakeholder collaboration.
4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
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SDG 1: No Poverty | Implied connection to reducing poverty by providing economic opportunities. | The program’s stated mission to help youth “break the cycle of poverty.” |
SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. |
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. |
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SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Implied connection to empowering youth for social and economic inclusion. | The program targets youth (ages 6-24) to provide skills and career development. |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. | The explicit list of partners: The Blair Family Foundation, Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee, United Way, PNC Foundation, Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Indian River County School District, Treasure Coast Technical College, and Florida Training Services, Inc. |
Source: tcpalm.com