Authentic STEM Pre-Apprenticeship Program

In this week’s STEM Program Showcase, Val DiGiorgio shines the spotlight on Authentic STEM: a pre-apprenticeship program that seeks to change the conversation about workforce development and career training in STEM.

In February 2022, the North Country Workforce Partnership, Champlain Valley Educational Services, North Country Chamber of Commerce and the University of Siegen (Universitat Siegen) joined together to pilot a uniquely productive curriculum that offers local students the opportunity to receive technical and professional training.  

Authentic STEM is an international educational program centered around workforce development.  The intention of this STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) program is to connect American and German students with local small businesses in their respective communities.  Together, the students are tasked with applying problem-solving approaches, developed from a shared STEM curriculum, to offer solutions to challenges relevant to businesses in their own local areas.

The Authentic STEM Pre-Apprenticeship Program is facilitated through equal parts in-class courses and real-world application.  Together, this combination makes for a workforce development program that not only equips students with real professional skills, but also makes a proactive difference in the community.  As an entrepreneur and STEM initiative supporter, Val DiGiorgio is thrilled to discover a program that offers students the opportunity to forge meaningful partnerships with local businesses — all while embracing long term lessons in science, tech, engineering and math!  DiGiorgio is particularly excited about the business and entrepreneurship lessons presented through the partnerships between students and local professionals.