The youth apprentices at Pinnacol Assurance just hit an extraordinary milestone that might surprise you – the team collectively just celebrated volunteering over 700 hours at Metro Caring in Denver, a leading anti-hunger organization in the area

Pinnacol’s youth apprenticeship program is managed by Julie Wilmes, who prioritizes embedding volunteering efforts into their curriculum. Each week, the apprentices worked diligently stocking shelves and assisting community members in the food market. In doing so, they not only supported a vital community resource but also strengthened their customer service skills and learned the importance of giving back.

“What we love about our youth apprentices volunteering at Metro Caring is that they are getting hands-on customer service experience in a caring environment,” said Julie. “the program aims to help develop skills that create a well-rounded future workforce, and we also love that we’re able to give back to the community.”

The volunteer work goes beyond building technical skills. By engaging with Metro Caring, Pinnacol’s apprentices are developing critical durable skills, such as communication and empathy, which will serve them well in any career path they choose.

For Julie and her team, this experience highlights the far-reaching benefits of youth apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeships aren’t just about gaining technical skills; they also teach real-world lessons in empathy, customer service, and problem-solving. This experience has been just as much about giving back to the community as it has been about developing their own professional skills.

“The time spent volunteering is not only beneficial to the apprentices but also to the broader community.“

“As much as we see an acquisition of job-ready technical skills, the thing that sticks out to me the most is how the apprentices’ confidence grows,” said Julie. “As adults, we know that what we believe about ourselves and our potential affects how we approach challenges. . That type of self-knowing takes time and life experience.  Volunteering at Metro Caring accelerates the apprentices’ maturity and self-awareness as they unlock their own potential.”

Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado’s largest workers’ compensation carrier, is home to the apprenticeship program and invests heavily into the community and workforce development in the state. In partnership with CareerWise, Pinnacol’s program aims to prepare young people with hands-on work experience that builds not just technical knowledge, but the soft skills that set them apart from their non-apprentice peers, in Colorado’s competitive job market. By volunteering at Metro Caring, apprentices are developing those skills in a meaningful, impactful way, while also contributing to a cause that serves thousands of Denver residents in need.

Julie’s leadership and commitment to her apprentices’ growth, both as professionals and community-minded individuals, lets us see the broader potential of youth apprenticeship programs. Youth apprenticeships have the power to provide a well-rounded experience that empowers apprentices to thrive in their careers and become thoughtful, compassionate contributors to their communities.