Pictured alongside Jasmine are members of the Jenkins Independent Schools technology team. From left to right: Digital Learning Coach Brandon Stewart, District Technology Coordinator Rick Warf, current technology apprentices Chris Meade, Caiden Yonts, Ashley Moore, Chloe Hall, and Superintendent Damian Johnson.
Jasmine Caudill, a 2024 graduate and salutatorian of Jenkins Independent Schools, was recognized at the Eastern Kentucky Apprenticeship Summit and presented a Journeyworker certificate for completion of a US Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship in Information Technology sponsored by Dataseam.
Developed and implemented by the Louisville-based education and workforce development organization, this 2-year training program provides high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to meet workforce needs for the in-demand technology sector with meaningful employment and two years practical work experience moving Registered Apprentices directly into the workforce for further training with credentialing in-field or a pathway to university education.
“In a region of Kentucky where the technology talent pool is limited, I was a department of one,” said Damian Johnson, Superintendent. “Working with the Dataseam Registered Apprenticeship, we are now a department of six. I’ve been able to build a deep bench to support our district’s technology needs with a view towards Jenkins’s future. We give students meaningful options and life-skills while providing them their first jobs. It’s been a great experience for us personally and professionally.”
Jasmine is already on track to earn a teaching degree at the University of the Cumberlands, having completed two college associate degrees and continues to work at Jenkins Schools, supporting technology for one of Letcher County’s largest employers, public education.
Jasmine was named Dataseam’s 2024 Cohort Work Valedictorian, working nearly three times the required apprenticeship hours. This not only advanced her skill set but also earned her a $1,000 award to support her future academic pursuits.
Brian Gupton, Dataseam, stated “Students do coursework everyday. For most, this is the easiest part of the Registered Apprenticeship. ‘Can they work?’ and ‘Will they work?’ is unknown.” Gupton continued, “We developed the Dataseam Work Valedictorian Award with the intention of supporting and incentivizing Apprentice activity creating skills competency, mastery, and provide increased value to the employer.”
Dataseam currently serves 58 of 171 Kentucky school districts statewide representing nearly 40% of Kentucky’s K-12 public school students.
