HCPSSNew Grant Supports HCPSS Apprenticeship Program, Helping Prepare Students for Future Careers
November 19th, 2025
The Howard County Public School System’s (HCPSS’) Apprenticeship Maryland Program recently received a $130,000 grant from the Columbia (MD) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting youth services and programs in Howard County. The grant will be used to expand access to high-quality apprenticeship opportunities for students and help cover apprenticeship-related costs, such as tuition, certification and assessment fees, transportation, wraparound services, and required work equipment. To date, it is the largest donor grant HCPSS’ Apprenticeship Maryland Program has received.
“The Columbia Chapter of The Links, Inc. is committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the cultural and economic vitality of the Howard County community,” says Chapter President Diana Smith Coleman. “Supporting HCPSS’s Apprenticeship Program aligns directly with our mission by expanding pathways to academic success, workforce readiness, and long-term opportunity for students. This grant strengthens our shared goal of empowering young people with the skills and support needed to thrive and to build stronger communities.”
“HCPSS is incredibly grateful to The Links, Inc. for its generous grant,” says HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes. “Beyond covering the cost of tools and training, the grant fuels a shared commitment between education and industry. By helping employers offset the expenses of related instruction, we remove barriers, open doors for students, and prove what is possible when schools and businesses invest in the future together.”
Open to high school seniors, HCPSS’ Apprenticeship Maryland Program connects students with local businesses that provide on-the-job training and industry-related classroom instruction. In doing so, it equips them with both the practical skills and the academic knowledge necessary for immediate employment and a successful long-term career.
“The Apprenticeship Maryland Program is truly transformational for students,” says Stephanie Discepolo, HCPSS’ facilitator of Apprenticeship Programs. “The program gives students the opportunity to begin their career journey while still in high school, building pathways to lasting success and real upward mobility. Through partnerships with employers and sponsors, we’re creating opportunities for students to earn while they learn, gaining hands-on experience through paid on-the-job training and receiving industry-specific instruction that builds a strong foundation for their future.”
The Apprenticeship Maryland grant is just the most recent example of support HCPSS has received from the Columbia (MD) Chapter of The Links, Inc. Over the course of its decade-long partnership with the school district, the organization also has supported HCPSS’ MESA (mathematics, engineering, science, and technology) program; helped implement a “Can You Imagine Me?” afterschool program for elementary school students, promoting healthy choices and wellness habits; volunteered at countless school events; and awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to Howard County students.
“We chose to partner with HCPSS because we share a deep commitment to nurturing the whole child and their wellness and expanding opportunities for all students,” says Smith Coleman. “Together, we are able to create a meaningful, lasting impact that prepares young people to succeed academically, socially, and in their future careers.”
HCPSS’ Partnerships Office has united schools with more than 1,000 businesses and community organizations to enhance the educational experience of Howard County students. Learn more about HCPSS Partnerships and read HCPSS Partnerships 2024-2025 Annual Snapshot, highlighting the important role school system partners play in providing essential services and supports, fulfilling student needs, and creating opportunities for learning and exploration.