Keeping Youth Connected
Keystone’s youth programs like our Youth Apprenticeship – help youth build confidence and competence to succeed in school, at home and in their community. A 200-hour apprenticeship at Express Bike Shop is a comprehensive introduction to employment:
Working side-by-side with experienced mechanics, all of our youth apprentices complete an introduction to functional bicycle maintenance and repair.
Apprentices are thoroughly schooled in the daily shop responsibilities including customer service, ordering and stocking items in the retail area, preparing bank deposits and paying the bills. These efforts put them on track for a Small Business Certification.
As they gain experience, they are introduced to higher-level business concepts like reading financial statements, developing advertising strategies, and selecting the merchandise mix on the retail floor.
The support of Keystone’s donors is the key that unlocks the potential of Express Bike Shop’s youth apprenticeship program. We are thankful for them for helping empower youth with early job experiences that they’ll carry with them into the future.