What Will Apprentices Learn?

Professional Habits

Teamwork

Engage in real-world opportunities to develop and strengthen interpersonal communication skills through tasks and teamwork.

Social Skills

Interact daily with peers, staff, and visitors in a welcoming outdoor setting.

Workplace Expectations

Learn and follow everyday workplace rules, i.e. safety, attendance, respect.

The Neurodiversity Apprenticeship Program offers experience in a workplace setting, which can help with future employment.

Specialized Skills

The Neurodiversity Apprenticeship Program offers the unique opportunity to learn, develop, master, and potentially mentor skills in three or more of the following:

Trail Maintenance

Leveling and widening trails
How to clip and prune
Create trail borders

Weed Whacking

Battery Use
Replace trimmer line
How to use equipment

Compost & Recycling

What can be composted and how
What can be recycled and how
Why we compost and recycle

Group Socializing

Sharing your role clearly
Interacting with various groups
Using polite and friendly language

Removing Invasive Species

Invasive plant identification
Removing with tools and by hand
Understanding why we remove

Leaf Blowing

Battery Use
Where, what, and how
Efficiency

Fire Building & Safety

How to build a safe fire
How to put a fire out
Types of fuel

Boating & Fishing

Safe use of boats and kayaks
Taking fish off of hooks
Safe use of fishing equipment

Research Projects

Identifying insects, reptiles
amphibians and plants
Performing surveys

Lawn Mowing

Starting a mower
Where and what to mow
Cleaning a mower

Pool Maintenance

Vacuuming and skimming the pool
Testing the water
Cleaning the pool deck

Bike Maintenance

Performing safety checks
Greasing bike chains
Fixing a flat tire

Gardening and Plant ID

Weeding
Identifying native plants and trees
Planting and collecting seeds

Plant Watering

What to water
How much to water
Watering schedule

Set Up & Clean Up

Preparing the space for guests
Preparing the equipment
Cleaning kitchens and bathrooms

Fishing Pole Repair

Replacing hooks and lines
Clean and fix reels
Safe and organized storage

Young person standing near a tarp with leaves on it. The person in the image is wearing protective gloves and is holding a rake proudly.

Who Should Apply?

If all of the above sounds fun to you, you might be a good candidate for this program. We'd encourage you to review the 'Am I a Good Fit?' section for a better idea.

Am I a Good Fit?