St. Mary’s County Honors Apprentices And Intern For Workforce Impact

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Three local students were recognized during the May 5 meeting of the St. Mary’s County commissioners for their outstanding contributions through the county’s apprenticeship and internship programs — a growing initiative aimed at preparing young people for real-world careers.

Standing at the side table, Acting Director of Human Resources Traci McPherson opened the recognition by highlighting the purpose behind the programs and the partnerships that make them possible.

“Good morning and thank you, commissioners, for hosting this important recognition this morning,” McPherson said. “We have been honored to sponsor another successful year of the Maryland apprenticeship program, in collaboration with St. Mary’s County Public Schools, and our inaugural year with the internship program with St. Mary’s County, with St. Mary’s College of Maryland.”

She emphasized that the programs offer students the chance to gain hands-on experience while earning income, supported by mentors and coordinated through the county’s Human Resources Department.

“These programs provide a unique opportunity for high school and college students to obtain real-world experience in a professional environment while earning income,” she said.

Recognizing Apprenticeship Excellence

The commissioners first recognized Randall Bean, an equipment mechanic apprentice with the Department of Public Works and Transportation.

During his proclamation, Bean was commended for his “outstanding work… as an apprentice,” noting that “through your hard work, initiative, and time commitment to excellence, you have made an impact on St. Mary’s County Government.”

During the presentation, officials highlighted Bean’s extensive hands-on experience, including more than 1,200 hours of on-the-job training, positioning him for a seamless transition into the workforce.

Apprenticeship Program Coordinator Brian Glasper praised Bean’s performance and future prospects, noting that he is expected to be hired full time following graduation.

Technology Contributions Recognized

Also honored was Damien Maines, a help desk apprentice in the county’s Information Technology Department.

Maines’ proclamation similarly recognized his dedication and impact, stating his work demonstrated “hard work, initiative, and time commitment to excellence.”

Throughout his apprenticeship, Maines supported the IT Help Desk, responding to service requests and assisting staff across departments. He also contributed to projects involving device management, system improvements and hardware deployment, while gaining exposure to areas such as GIS, networking and software development.

County staff described him as “a valuable member of the IT team” who made “a daily difference” in departmental operations.

Intern Recognized For Behind-the-Scenes Impact

While unable to attend the meeting, Jackson Hicks, a county administrator intern, was also formally recognized for his contributions.

His proclamation commended his “outstanding work as an intern for the County Administrator,” adding that his efforts made “an impact on St. Mary’s County Government.”

McPherson noted that Hicks worked closely with Deputy County Administrator David Engling, contributing to several county projects over the summer and fall, including initiatives related to facilities and infrastructure improvements.

“We would like to thank Jackson for his service,” she said.

Building The Future Workforce

The recognition underscored the county’s continued investment in workforce development through partnerships with local schools and higher education institutions.

By combining classroom instruction with real-world experience, officials said the apprenticeship and internship programs are helping students build strong foundations for future careers — while also strengthening county operations in the process.

As McPherson noted, the success of the program relies not only on the students, but also on the mentors, coordinators and departments that support them, creating a pipeline of talent that benefits the entire community.

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